Sri Lanka and the People’s Republic of China have been two friendly nations who own mutual coordination of a glorious history of more than 2000 years. Since the historical periods of time both countries have experienced strong bilateral relations between each other.
At present it is evident that China is emerging as the most powerful gigantic development force not only of the South Asian Region but of the whole world. It is therefore, a task of gratitude that China has extended to share with the neighboring countries for the economic, social and cultural development and coordination of the entire South Asian Region.
At the beginning there were several organizations in Sri Lanka who were committed towards working to promote goodwill and friendship between Sri Lanka and China. Foreseen the Chinese intervention for the wellbeing of the entire region especially towards Sri Lanka while aiming stronger bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and China to fulfill these objectives, Mr.Indrananda Abesekara, a renowned and a reliable Sri Lankan personality of China, being a Friendship Promoter, took the initiative to form and established the Sri Lanka China Young Journalists’ Forum (SLCYJF) in the year 2002 with the active coordination and contribution of Mr. Jagath Perera and Mr. Nalin Aponso. Since then a number of programmes have been organized by SLCYJF with the active coordination of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to boost the bilateral relations between both countries. SLCYJF has stood with China at several occasion where destructive criticism was forced upon by the Western influences to interrupt the course of China towards the regional economic development. At such instances SLCYJF, under a silent policy has made the political authorities of China and Sri Lanka well aware of such destructive criticisms raised through certain media institutions and organizations against the good will of both countries. At such occasions SLCYJF has taken immediate steps to correct such reports through its media network, securing the right of the general public to know the right thing at the right time in order to ensure the continuity of stable and reliable relations between the two friendly nations.
Sri Lanka – China Young Journalists’ Forum consists of members representing all print and electronic media institutions and organizations in Sri Lanka accepted by the government of Sri Lanka. Fifteen members from the entire membership of more than 200 local journalists form the Executive Committee stand responsible for the governing of the entire Association. The membership is issued following a well examined procedure to applications and granted only to those who actively and practically contribute towards the Sri Lanka – China bilateral relations and good will.
Last year SLCYJF started its Sinhalese issue in ‘Mahajana Cheenaya (People’s China) in order to extend a first hand view into the magnitude of China’s economic development and social integrity. At the time China celebrates its 60th anniversary we happily complete one year of publishing ‘Mahajana Cheenaya’ – People’s China. At the same time one year ago we also launched our web site www.lankachina.com to share and exchange as an up dated website which we have continued for one year in an international standard and quality. Feed backs at our side depicts that the web site has attracted world wide web users at large.
We have actively contributed and coordinated with all local print and electronic media at every annual celebration of the National Day of China in Sri Lanka. Our coordination is aimed at improving better bilateral standards and diplomatic relations between the two countries via a strong social understanding promoted through the participation of media. We, at many an instance have taken effective measures to rectify the pessimistic and negative notions generated by various western influences against China. The active intervention of our media network was always able to positively influence the Sri Lankan community to deviate from such rival mentalities against the friendly and genuine attitude of China towards improving regional integrity through peaceful bilateral and diplomatic relations.
As a fair recognition of identifying the immense contribution of SLCYJF during the past 07 years and for the dedicated service for the promotion of bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and China through SLCYJF former Secretary and the current President of SLCYJF Mr.Nalin Aponso was awarded by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) in the year 2007. Of the 15 friendship activists felicitated with this Friendship Award by CPAFFC on the occasion of 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relation between Sri Lanka and China in 2007 in Colombo Mr. Nalin Aponso was the first ever youngest Sri Lankan to be felicitated with the award. The award is always remembered as a token of immense gratitude won by the SLCYJF.