Li Ruihuan, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), arrived in Columbo December 2 for an official good-will visit at the invitation of the Sri Lankan government.

This is Li Ruihuan's first visit to the country and the first leg of the his three-country Asia trip, which will also take him to Maldives and Japan.

Li and his party were greeted at the airport by Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar and other senior cabinet ministers.

In his statement upon arrival, Li Ruihuan described the purpose of his trip to Sri Lanka as "to enhance Sino-Sri Lankan friendship, expand bilateral exchange and cooperation and facilitate the further development of the state-to-state relations between the two countries."

"I look forward to meeting Sri Lankan leaders and friends both old and new here, and to exchanging views with them on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of common interest," Li said.

The CPPCC Chairman believed that his visit would help further strengthen the profound friendship between the two countries and the two peoples, and contribute to the consolidation and advancement of Sino-Sri Lankan friendly ties and cooperation in the new century. (Xinhua)