Hangzhou to assist Kotte
During the bilateral discussion with Hangzhou Mayor Cai Qi by Kotte Mayor Swarnalatha Silva, Hangzhou Mayor stated that Hangzhou will send a delegation of experts to study the water resources of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte and assist in its development.
This was a result culmination of the Sister City ties established in 2008 on the initiative of Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama.
Originally a shallow sea inlet, due to the laying down of silt, this 5.68 square kilometres of water became the famous “West Lake”.
The Hangzhou Municipal People’s Government has spent over 8 billion Yuan on developing the West Lake. It has won many awards from China as well as the United Nations.
Sri Lankan delegation attended the 2nd Hangzhou International Sister City Mayors Conference and the 11th West Lake Expo 2009. During their stay they also met officials from the Hangzhou CPPCC, Administration Committee of Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Spot, Hangzhou Landscapes and Cultural Relics Bureau and Bing Jiang District.
(Source: Daily News – 24 Oct, 2009)