Ｓｐｅｅｃｈ ｂｙ Ｍｒ． Ｉｎｄｒａｎａｎｄａ Ａｂｅｙｓｅｋｅｒａ， Ｅｘｅｃｕｔｉｖｅ Ｓｅｃｒｅｔａｒｙ ｏｆＡｓｓｏｃｉａｔｉｏｎ ｆｏｒ Ｓｒｉ Ｌａｎｋａ－Ｃｈｉｎａ Ｓｏｃｉａｌ ａｎ

May 3rd this year ushered in the 50th birthday of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC). As I am honored today to attend this grand commemorative meeting， my heart is filled with joy and gratitude. Being an old friend of the Chinese people， I have the pleasure， on behalf of the friendship-with-China organizations of various countries， to express the warmest congratulations to the esteemed Association and dear Chinese friends.

The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries is an organization enjoying sound reputation internationally and a trustworthy partner of the friendship organizations in different countries. Having made friends all over the world， the Association has established extensively mutual ties and exchanges with those organizations. The 50-year course of the Association is like a vivid and colorful painting presenting the Association as a link for the communication of the mankind feelings and a bridge for the enhancement of understanding and friendship.

Over the past 50 years， the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries has persevered in keeping pace with the times， carrying out diversified activities with rich contents and making friends in all parts of the world， which has enabled people of other countries to observe from different angles the tremendous changes taking place in China and experience the friendship extended by the Chinese people. The Association has played a significant role in planting friendship and trust in the hearts of the people of various countries. It has made more and more countries and peoples support and appreciate your undertaking and plunge themselves with great enthusiasm into this current of building up friendship contacts for humankind. All these have laid the foundation for the Association to score continuous progress.

What is hard to forget is the valuable assistance and support delivered to us by the Association over the years. The fruitful cooperation and exchanges conducted between the friendship organizations have not only brought benefits and bliss to both sides， but accumulated experiences and paved the way for further expanding exchanges. Looking to the future， we are full of hopes. Once again， I would like to express thanks and respect to the Association for the care and hospitality accorded to our friends.

Our love and respect for the Chinese people are profound and sincere. We are deeply aware that China is a steady force in safeguarding world peace. We rejoice with the development in China. Let’s hold hands tightly with you and wish China prosperity and the Chinese people happiness. We also wish the esteemed Association vigorous growth and everlasting friendship! We will always remain loyal friends of the Association. Our common cause is bright and our friendship is eternal.

Let’s join hands to strive for peace and friendship together!