China-aided Superior Courts complex refurbishment project in Sri Lanka kicks off

The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Justice of Sri Lanka jointly hosted a commencement ceremony of the comprehensive refurbishment of the Superior Courts complex in Sri Lanka, a China-aided project, in Colombo on July 31, 2023. Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong, Sri Lankan Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya and Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe attended and addressed the event.

In his speech, Rajapakshe noted that the China-Sri Lanka friendship spans thousands of years. Since Master Faxian from China initiated bilateral Buddhist exchanges in 410 AD, from the close cooperation between the older generations of leaders of the two countries in the Non-Aligned Movement, to the firm support for each other in bilateral and multilateral areas in recent years, history has proved that the China-Sri Lanka friendship has become ever stronger. Over the past 35 years, the Superior  Courts complex has made significant contributions to the rule of law development and judicial justice in Sri Lanka, he said, adding that the renovation project is another gift from the Chinese people, which he sincerely appreciates on behalf of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Sri Lankan government and people.

Qi said that the Superior Courts complex in Sri Lanka was a gift from the Chinese people in the 1980s. It is not only a landmark building of Sri Lanka, but also another historical witness of the China-Sri Lanka friendship. Now the Chinese government has decided to comprehensively renovate and modernize the building through free assistance, which will provide a modern and comfortable office environment for the country's judicial system and a stronger guarantee to serve its people, he said.

History has repeatedly shown that the deeper the bilateral cooperation and ties go, the stronger Sri Lanka’s ability to safeguard its sovereignty and independence, drive economic development and counter external risks. China will always stand by Sri Lanka regardless of the time, and no matter in the face of natural disasters, terrorism, COVID-19, economic crisis or any other blows, he added.

Jayasuriya recalled the construction and opening of the Superior Courts building in the 1980s, and expressed his gratitude to the Chinese government and people on behalf of all the staff of the Sri Lankan judicial system, the Supreme Court, and the Court of Appeal. He said that the renovation project will inject new vitality into this landmark building, further strengthen ties between the two countries and deepen bilateral cooperation. He especially thanked the Chinese foreign aid experts who traveled thousands of miles and left their families to come to Sri Lanka, promising that Sri Lanka will do its best to provide support for their work and life. He said that he looks forward to the early completion of the project to a high standard.

With a construction area of 23,013 square meters, the Superior Courts complex was built with the assistance of the Chinese government. The design was completed in 1984 and the building was handed over in 1989. With its unique architectural style, the building has become a major landmark in Colombo and even throughout the country, meeting the daily office and court needs of the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. At the request of the Sri Lankan side, the Chinese government had decided to carry out a comprehensive renovation of the building under the category of grant aid, which is expected to be completed in October 2025.