Sri Lanka, Jan. 15 -- Sri Lanka is a small country. Fortunately or not, it is geographically placed in a most strategic location. As a result, the country has to face many political challenges. The only way to overcome them is to be economically strong. The economic independence will ensure political independence", President Gotabaya Rajapaksa told the visiting Foreign Minister of the Peoples' Republic of China Wang Yi who called on him at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday morning (14).

Minister Wang Yi in his response said that China, as did in the past, would be Sri Lanka's longtime partner in prosperity and growth. He noted that China's policy towards Sri Lanka had always been consistent and China would continue to be Sri Lanka's...