CI - News

On 2 June, Prof. Lei Mingzhen, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Colombo, and Ms. Ye Wei, Chinese Director of the Confucius Classroom at Sabaragamuwa University, was invited to visit the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya. Together with Mr. Guan Pin, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya, they held a consultative meeting on the development of Confucius Institutes and Confucius Classrooms across Sri Lankan universities.

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Guan Pin. Mrs. Sulochana Rathnayake, Co-Directors of the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya, delivered the welcome address. All academic and administrative staff of the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya attended the meeting.

The Directors engaged in in-depth discussions based on the local context of Chinese language education in Sri Lanka. Key topics included current institutional operations, differentiated training of local student cohorts, curriculum development, and the cultivation of local teaching staff. They shared practical examples of localized teaching practices from their respective institutions and identified common challenges, resource limitations, and effective strategies.

They also exchanged practical ideas on HSK promotion, optimization of locally developed teaching materials, and daily teaching challenges. All participants agreed to fully leverage the strengths of each institution and strengthen cooperation through resource sharing and complementary development.

Building on the outcomes of the recently concluded 25th “Chinese Bridge” World Chinese language Competition (Sri Lanka regional contest), the three parties further discussed joint organization of Chinese language competitions, cross-campus Chinese cultural touring exhibitions, and mutual exchange and research activities. They also reviewed the experience of this year’s competition and proposed future initiatives, including the establishment of a regional cooperation platform in Sri Lanka, the development of a shared teaching resource database, and coordinated cultural activities celebrating traditional Chinese festivals.

The participants agreed to establish a regular collaboration framework to further support the sustainable development of Chinese language education in Sri Lanka.

During the meeting break, Dr. Sudath Senarath, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Kelaniya, met the visiting delegates and warmly welcomed their visit.

Ven. Prof. Nedalagamuwe Dhammadinna Thero, Senior Professor of the Department of Modern Languages at the University of Kelaniya, and Dr. Jani, former Sri Lankan Co-Director of the Confucius Institute, also joined the meeting and engaged in friendly discussions with the visiting delegates.

The Final Examination for the 27th Batch of Weekend Certificate Courses in Chinese Language, organized by the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya, was successfully held on May 23 and 24, 2026. The examinations took place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the University’s K2-212 Confucius Classroom and the K16-002 Chinese Language Laboratory, with the enthusiastic participation of students from diverse professional and academic backgrounds.

The examinations were conducted across three levels:

• Certificate Course in Chinese Language

• Intermediate Certificate Course in Chinese Language

• Advanced Certificate Course in Chinese Language

The Final Examination for the Certificate Course in Chinese Language was held on May 23, while the Intermediate and Advanced Certificate Course examinations were conducted on May 24.

The program was organized under the guidance of Course Coordinator Mrs. Sulochana Rathnayake, together with a committed team of local and native Chinese lecturers whose dedication and passion for teaching created a dynamic and inspiring learning atmosphere throughout the course duration.

The Weekend Certificate Courses in Chinese Language continue to receive strong public interest due to their practical teaching methodology, interactive classroom activities, and real-world language applications. Participants have consistently appreciated the well-structured curriculum and supportive academic environment, which enable students to develop their Chinese language skills with confidence and enthusiasm.

The Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced courses were conducted over a period of five months, providing students with valuable opportunities to strengthen their listening, speaking, reading, and writing abilities in Chinese. The successful completion of the examinations marks another important milestone in promoting Chinese language education and cultural exchange through the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya. We extend our sincere congratulations and best wishes to all students and hope they achieve excellent results in their final assessments. We also look forward to welcoming future batches of enthusiastic learners to the Weekend Chinese Language Program.

On May 21, the 2026 “Tea for Harmony” Yaji Gathering and Zhejiang Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition was grandly held at the Prime Minister’s Office of Sri Lanka. The event was guided by the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, jointly organized by the China Cultural Center in Sri Lanka and the Department of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism of Zhejiang Province, and hosted by the Zhejiang Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center. The Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya was invited to assist in the event and actively contributed to various aspects of preparation and on-site coordination, demonstrating its commitment to promoting outstanding traditional Chinese culture overseas. Confucius institute Chinese Director Mr. Guan Pin and Sri Lankan Director Mrs. D.M.S.P.Rathnayake attended the event as invited guests.

During the preparation stage, the leadership of the Confucius Institute attached great importance to the event and coordinated related work on multiple occasions. Throughout the event, Chinese teachers and volunteers worked closely together and participated wholeheartedly in venue arrangement, guest reception, cultural exhibition assistance, and performance support. Their professionalism, dedication, and teamwork fully reflected the positive spirit and strong sense of responsibility of the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya.

The event gathered more than 200 distinguished guests, including Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong, Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament Wickramaratne, several Sri Lankan ministers, foreign diplomats stationed in Sri Lanka, members of the Chinese community, and local friends from various sectors. Together, they witnessed this remarkable occasion of cultural exchange between China and Sri Lanka.

The stage performances were rich and diverse, featuring traditional Chinese artistic performances such as the pipa, guqin, and flute, all of which vividly showcased the charm of Chinese culture. Intangible cultural heritage demonstrations, including puppet shows and face-changing performances, received enthusiastic applause from the audience. Interactive cultural experience areas featuring tea art, woodblock printing, and rice dough sculpture also attracted many visitors eager to participate and learn more.

One of the highlights of the event was the interactive robot performance, which creatively combined traditional culture with modern technology. This unique presentation not only demonstrated the profound heritage of Chinese civilization but also further enhanced local audiences’ understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture.

Following the event, Cultural Counsellor Ji Lili from the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka and Director Ni Lisheng of the China Cultural Center highly praised the work of the Confucius Institute team, recognizing their active participation, professionalism, and strong sense of responsibility.

Looking ahead, the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya will continue to leverage its platform advantages, actively support and organize various cultural exchange activities, and explore innovative ways to promote Chinese culture. The Institute remains committed to telling China’s story well and contributing further to mutual understanding and cultural exchange between China and Sri Lanka.

On the afternoon of May 18, the 2026 Wushu Championship of the University of Kelaniya was successfully held at the university gymnasium. The Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya, Mr. Guan Pin, and the Sri Lankan Director, Mrs. Sulochana Rathnayake, attended the event as distinguished guests and presented awards to the winners.

The competition was officiated by Mr. Bodhinagoda, coach of the Sri Lankan National Wushu Team, who served as Chief Referee. Most members of the coaching and officiating panel had previous experience working at major international sporting events, including the World University Games. More than 30 athletes from the university’s Wushu Team participated in the championship. Contestants represented different faculties, academic disciplines, and year groups across the university, with more than half also studying Chinese language courses at the Confucius Institute.

The atmosphere throughout the competition was lively and energetic as participants demonstrated the skills, discipline, and confidence developed through regular training. The event was hosted bilingually in Chinese and English, reflecting both the students’ dedication to Wushu and their strong interest in Chinese culture. Many participants also expressed their aspirations to pursue further studies and cultural exchange opportunities in China.

During the award ceremony, Director Guan Pin and Director Mrs. Sulochana Rathnayake congratulated the winning athletes and praised all participants for their hard work, commitment, and progress.

Beyond serving as a platform to showcase students’ Wushu training achievements, the championship also promoted meaningful cultural exchange between China and Sri Lanka. The Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya will continue to use Wushu as a bridge for intercultural learning by enriching cultural exchange activities and helping more Sri Lankan youth develop a deeper appreciation of traditional Chinese culture, while further strengthening cultural friendship and youth exchanges between China and Sri Lanka.

Marking a significant step in strengthening international academic collaboration, Mr. Guan Pin from Chongqing Normal University has been appointed as the new Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya. Bringing with him a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to cultural and educational exchange, his appointment is expected to further enhance the longstanding partnership between the two institutions and deepen ties between Sri Lanka and China.

On April 24, Mr. Guan Pin visited the Vice-Chancellor, Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, and the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Dr. Sudath Senarath. He was also warmly welcomed by the Sri Lankan Director of the Confucius Institute, Senior Lecturer D.M.A.S.P. Rathnayake, along with the staff of the Institute, who expressed their support and looked forward to working closely with him. During his meeting with the Vice-Chancellor, Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva warmly welcomed the new director , Mr. Guan Pin and extended her best wishes for his tenure. The newly appointed director formally presented a signed letter from Professor Zhang Yan, Party Secretary of Chongqing Normal University, and Professor Wang Guoyin, President of the same university, conveying their sincere greetings and continued commitment to the partnership between the two institutions.

Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva expressed her appreciation for the strong support extended by Chongqing Normal University toward the Confucius Institute and reaffirmed the University of Kelaniya’s continued commitment to its future development. Mr. Guan Pin, in turn, expressed his gratitude for the support provided by the University and reflected on the Confucius Institute’s 15-year journey and its significant achievements.The discussions also focused on key academic initiatives, including the development of Chinese Language Education at University of Kelaniya.

The newly appointed director also met with Dr. Sudath Senarath, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, who warmly welcomed him to the University community. Dr. Sudath Senarath reaffirmed the Faculty’s continued support for the Confucius Institute and emphasized the importance of strengthening the Chinese Language education while promoting academic exchange and long-term cooperation between Sri Lanka and China.

These engagements mark an important step in further strengthening the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya and advancing educational and cultural collaboration between China and Sri Lanka.
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