Chinese lessons on COVID-19 measures for Sri Lanka

@the_news_21

New Delhi: Straying away from the international consensus demanding a probe on Chinese handling of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in Wuhan, Sri Lanka seeking guidance from Beijing is now set to adhere to China’s lessons from the pandemic.

Colombo launched a Chinese book on battling COVID-19, which aims to guide Sri Lankan leadership and administration in flattening the suspected second wave of cases in the country.

According to sources, the China-Sri Lanka Cooperation Studies Center of the Pathfinder Foundation together with the Chinese Embassy in Colombo launched the Sinhalese translation of the Chinese book – Prevention and Control of COVID-19 – which outlines health and preventive measures against the pandemic.

Chinese embassy officials handed the translated book to Sri Lanka’s Education Ministry and Health Ministry. The original Chinese version of the book is authored by Prof. Zhang Wenhong, a Chinese expert in infectious diseases.

Sri Lankan officials expressed gratitude towards China’s initiative to share ‘useful’ knowledge on the pandemic. Local media reports quoted Sri Lankan Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Health Dr. Lakshmi Somatunga saying that the book would benefit a majority of Sri Lankans and it will serve as an effective tool to all those who read it.

She added that in the times of this global pandemic, China under the leadership of President Xi Jinping has shown the world how to give others. ‘We have to live with this pandemic for some time and because of this, universal safety precautions have been adapted. It is encouraging to see China’s courage to face these challenges’ Lakshmi was quoted.

In his brief talk at the launch ceremony, Pathfinder Foundation Executive Director Lakshman Siriwardana said that the book authored by Prof. Zhang and translated to Sinhala by him includes many health practices and guidelines to the student and adult population.

Commending the relations between Beijing and Colombo, Siriwardana said that the ties between the two nations will be the most critical for Sri Lanka in the future as many sectors in the island country had benefited from development projects funded by China in recent years.

Deputy Chief of Mission of the Chinese embassy in Sri Lanka Hu Wei claimed that the book will be very helpful for the general public as it gives a better understanding of what the world should do in fighting against the COVID-19. Hu added that the book provides comprehensive guidance to the public and will be beneficial for students as well. 

‘During the outbreak in China, our leadership was deeply touched by our Sri Lankan friends because they showed the Chinese people their support in different ways,’ Hu was quoted saying in local reports.

A similar book translated in Nepali-language was also promoted and distributed by China in Kathmandu in May.  The book titled ‘Wuhan in Coronavirus Lockdown: Stories of Courage and Determination’ was openly distributed to Nepalese ministers, leaders, government officials, entrepreneurs, among other prominent figures. 

Over 200 units of the book published by the Makalu Publication House were purchased by the Nepal Overseas Chinese Business Association (NOCBA) and presented to the Nepalese leadership on 23 May, which was exclusively reported by TheNews21.