Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka said here Thursday night that Sri Lanka is China's friend and the two countries "will always stand by each other."

Addressing a reception of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sri Lanka, Wickramanayaka said the relationship of the two countries has grown from strength to strength in the last five decades.

"The relationship between our two countries which began many centuries ago is based on a secure foundation, the principles of Panchasila (the five principles of peaceful co-existence between nations)," said Wickramanayaka.

He stressed that Sri Lanka has remained steadfast and unequivocal in respect of its "one China policy."

The prime minister also expressed his thanks to China for its economic assistance, saying "you have continuously lent a helping hand to strength Sri Lanka's development efforts and you continue to do so."

He hailed the declaration of year 2007 as Year of China-Sri Lanka Friendship by the two governments, saying Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse's forthcoming visit to China and a number of other activities will assist to consolidate the relationship further.

Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Ye Dabo told the gathering that "China and Sri Lanka are time-honored friends with amicable contacts in trade, culture and religion between the two peoples dating back to some 2,000 years ago."

Ye said he was confident that "with our concerted efforts, our friendship and cooperation will be upgraded to a higher level, which will eventually benefit both countries and peoples."

Sri Lanka, though threatened by some countries of facing dire consequences, established diplomatic relations with China on February 7, 1957.

(Source: Xinhua News Agency via chinadaily.com.cn February 9, 2007)