The Sri Lankan government has sought China’s assistance to establish electric vehicle (EV) charging stations throughout the country. This proposal was put forward by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier today.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Qi has shown support for the initiative and has agreed to communicate the request to the Chinese government. This move aligns with Sri Lanka’s plans to import electric vehicles on a large scale from the global automobile market, including China.

Minister Herath emphasized that developing the necessary charging infrastructure is a crucial step, especially as the government plans to introduce more electric buses in the future. Additionally, he underscored the urgent requirement for China’s assistance in reconstructing railway lines and bridges that were damaged by recent floods. Ambassador Qi assured that these concerns would be swiftly brought to the attention of the Chinese government.

Moreover, Ambassador Qi expressed his intention to evaluate the damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah and to collaborate with the Chinese government on potential relief and reconstruction efforts.