Internal working platform of Yunnan Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries

On August 21st, the "Heart to Heart Yunnan Journey" Sri Lanka "Light of Hope" eye surgery ceremony was held at the King George Hospital in Colombo, with 100 cataract patients from various parts of Sri Lanka who had undergone cataract surgery treatment regaining their sight. The ceremony was attended by Ambassador Qi Zhenhong, Deputy Minister of Health and Media of Sri Lanka, Hansaka Wijemunie, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, Alon赫马钱德拉, Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Sunil Watalage, and others.

Qi Zhenhong first extended sincere congratulations to the recovered patients and expressed heartfelt thanks to the medical team from the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University for coming to Sri Lanka from afar. Qi Zhenhong emphasized that China has always been a trustworthy good brother and partner for Sri Lanka. Whenever the people of Sri Lanka face difficulties and challenges, the Chinese government and people will always extend a helping hand to the people of Sri Lanka, providing whatever assistance they can. Including the 100 surgeries of this "Light of Life" event, China has performed 450 free cataract surgeries in Sri Lanka this year alone. These 450 pairs of eyes, which have been restored to sight, bear witness to the deepest and most sincere friendship between the people of China and Sri Lanka. In the future, China will continue to provide assistance to Sri Lanka in the field of health and sanitation, encourage and support the medical institutions of the two countries to strengthen exchanges and cooperation, and keep passing on the light to more patients and people in Sri Lanka.

Vijay Muñi, Hema Chandra, Vata Gara, and others in their speeches stated that whenever Sri Lanka faces difficulties, the Chinese government and people always extend a helping hand without hesitation. This "Light Walk" event is another outstanding example of the profound friendship between China and Sri Lanka. The medical teams from Yunnan Province, China, have been coming to Sri Lanka for three consecutive years to perform free cataract surgeries for patients. Not only have they brought light to patients, but they have also brought dignity, independence, and hope to hundreds of families affected by the disease. We sincerely thank the Chinese government and people for their long-standing support and assistance in all fields to Sri Lanka.

At the ceremony, Qi Zhenhong and the guests together removed the bandage for the patients who had received the surgery to restore their sight. The patients and their families expressed their gratitude to the Chinese government and the doctors from Yunnan, China for their selfless help, and they said that the moment of regaining their sight would be unforgettable for a lifetime.

The "Heart to Heart Yunnan Journey" Sri Lanka "Light of Hope" event aims to implement the Joint Statement between China and Sri Lanka, promote people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, and was jointly organized by the Yunnan Provincial People's Association for Foreign Friendship and the Sino-Sri Lankan Society for Social and Cultural Cooperation. Eight doctors from the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University performed复明 surgery on 100 Sri Lankan cataract patients. In May 2023 and May 2024, the Yunnan Provincial Medical Team went to Sri Lanka twice to carry out the "Light of Hope" event, successfully completing 218 cataract surgeries.