A high-profile delegation from the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC), Ministry of Education, People's Republic of China, visited the University of Kelaniya for the first time on the 29th of November 2024. The delegation gathered in the University Senate Room, aiming to strengthen the educational and cultural ties between China and Sri Lanka, with a particular focus on advancing Chinese language higher education in Sri Lanka.

The visited delegates for this event included Hu Zhiping, Deputy Director General; Wang Huichang, Director of the Division of Asian and African Affairs; Li Chan, Program Coordinator of the Division of Asian and African Affairs; Ma Jianan, Program Coordinator of the Division of Teaching Resources; Li Guoxiu, Program Officer of the Division of General Affairs; and Wang Fei, Chinese Director of the Lumbini Confucius Classroom, who also served as the interpreter for the CLEC delegation. The participants from the University of Kelaniya included Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-chancellor of the University of Kelaniya; Dr. Sudath Senerath, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities; Venerable Senior Professor Nadalagamuwe Dhammadinna Thero, Head of the Department of Modern Languages; Dr. Jani Samarakoon, Co-Director for the Sri Lankan side at the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya; and Dr. Wu Hongyuan, Co-Director for the Chinese side at the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya.

The Chinese delegates were warmly welcomed by the Department of Fine Arts of the University of Kelaniya with a performance by a Sri Lankan traditional Kandiyan dancing group. The delegates were deeply impressed by the vibrant cultural display and thoroughly enjoyed the performance, which showcased the rich heritage of Sri Lankan traditional dance.

After the welcome dance, Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-chancellor, delivered the welcome speech. Following this, Deputy Director General Hu Zhiping expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and mentioned that this was his first visit to Sri Lanka. After that, Dr. Wu Hongyuan, the Co-Director for the Chinese side of the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya, spoke about the history of the Confucius institute University of Kelaniya and its contributions to the expansion of the Chinese language. Then, Venerable Senior Professor Nadalagamuwe Dhammadinna Thero explained on the history of teaching Chinese in Sri Lanka and at the University of Kelaniya. During his speech, he specifically highlighted that the establishment of the Confucius Institute has been a remarkable support in enhancing students' knowledge of the Chinese language.

Then, the discussion moved to its main objective, which was the introduction of new degree programs, master's degree programs, and postgraduate degree programs. It was also emphasized that the number of scholarships for Sri Lankan students could be increased.