The Dragon Boat Festival cultural celebration, organized by the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya under the theme “Dragon Boat Festival: Shared Traditions, Shared Friendship,” was successfully held on 18 June 2026 at the K14 Auditorium of the University. The event brought together distinguished guests, academics, students, and members of the Chinese and Sri Lankan communities to celebrate one of China's most significant traditional festivals.

The event was honoured by the presence of distinguished guests including Ms Ji Lili, Cultural Counsellor of the Embassy, the People's Republic of China in Sri Lanka; Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor the University of Kelaniya; Mr Ni Lisheng, Director of the China Cultural Centre in Sri Lanka; and several representatives from academia, the media, and the Chinese community in Sri Lanka.

The programme commenced with a lecture on the history, customs, and cultural significance of the Dragon Boat Festival, followed by an interactive paper-folding workshop where participants created traditional zongzi (rice dumpling) models and gained hands-on experience of Chinese folk traditions. Delivering the welcome remarks, the Chinese and Sri Lankan Directors of the Confucius Institute expressed their appreciation to all guests and reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to promoting Chinese language education and cultural exchange.

Addressing the gathering, Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva commended the Confucius Institute’s contributions to Chinese language education and intercultural understanding, highlighting the importance of educational cooperation between Sri Lanka and China. She also expressed her gratitude to Chongqing Normal University for its continuous support and contribution to the development of the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya for more than 15 years, while Ms Ji Lili highlighted the cultural significance of the Dragon Boat Festival and its enduring values, praising the Confucius Institute for its continued efforts in promoting Chinese language education and fostering cultural exchange between Sri Lanka and China.

The celebration also featured a vibrant cultural performance showcasing the talents of University students. The programme included choral singing, traditional dance, martial arts, Taiji sword demonstrations, and a Huangmei Opera excerpt, reflecting the students’ enthusiasm for Chinese language and culture. Following the performances, Ms Ji Lili visited the Confucius Institute, its teaching facilities, and the main library of the University, where she was briefed on the Institute’s academic and cultural initiatives.

The event provided a valuable platform for cultural exchange and mutual understanding, further strengthening the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Sri Lanka and China.