Hon. Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, successfully concluded an official visit to Sichuan Tourism College, China, on April 23, 2026. The visit marked a significant milestone in advancing bilateral cooperation in tourism education, cultural exchange, and industry development under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Deputy Minister Ranasinghe was warmly welcomed by Wang Chuan, Deputy Party Secretary and President of Sichuan Tourism College. Both sides engaged in extensive discussions on strengthening collaboration in tourism talent development, joint research, and vocational training. The dialogue reflected the shared vision of Sri Lanka and China to deepen cultural and educational ties, while also promoting sustainable tourism practices.
Prof. Ranasinghe fondly recalled his years of doctoral study at Sichuan University, noting that Sichuan had become his “second home.” He emphasized the complementary strengths of Sri Lanka and Sichuan in tourism resources, highlighting opportunities for collaboration in culinary arts, hospitality, and eco-tourism. His remarks underscored the importance of building bridges between academic institutions to foster innovation and mutual growth.
During the visit, Prof. Ranasinghe toured the university’s History Museum, Culinary and Food Science Laboratory Building, and the Institute of Mountain Tourism and Leisure Science. He commended the college’s achievements in developing disciplines around the “Greater Tourism” full industry chain, praising its innovative approach and practical outcomes.
In the afternoon, Prof. Ranasinghe delivered a lecture titled “China–Sri Lanka Cultural Bonds: Past, Present, and Future” to faculty and students. He highlighted culture as a core driving force for tourism development and stressed that policy coordination, infrastructure connectivity, digital empowerment, and educational exchanges under the Belt and Road Initiative can transform cultural bonds into sustainable cooperation. The interactive session with students and faculty created a warm and enthusiastic atmosphere, further strengthening people-to-people ties.
The visit concluded with a cooperation symposium, where both sides reached preliminary consensus on several joint initiatives:
- Establishment of a Chinese Sichuan Cuisine Academy
- Creation of a China–Sri Lanka Joint Research Center for Mountain Tourism
- Launch of a China–Sri Lanka Cultural Tourism Cooperation Platform
- Development of an Innovation Service Research Center for Hospitality
- Expansion of Sri Lankan student enrollment under the “Study at Sichuan Tourism College” program
President Wang Chuan outlined next steps for project coordination and implementation, ensuring that the agreed initiatives will be translated into tangible outcomes.
This visit builds on the strong foundation of cultural exchange established during Sri Lanka’s participation in Sichuan’s “Happy Spring Festival” and “Chinese Culture Week” in 2025. It represents a new chapter in Sri Lanka–China cooperation, injecting fresh momentum into the high-quality development of tourism education and cultural collaboration.
