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Dr. Wu Hongyuan, Chinese Co-Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya, and Chinese honors degree third-year seven undergraduates from the Chinese Unit in the Department of Modern Languages participated in the 8th ‘Silk Road Cup’ Chinese Language and Culture competition, organized by the Confucius Institute at Mahasarakham University and the Confucius Institute at Khon Kaen University in Thailand. The undergraduates are Nishahansi Dewanmini (HS/2019/0229), the team leader; Dilani Chathumali (HS/2019/1087), Nimanthi Chamika (HS/2019/0030), Hansi Muthukumari (HS/2019/0144), Vishaka Dewsara (HS/2019/0682), Kavindaya Lakshani (HS/2019/1080), and Amila Madhushan (HS/2019/0914).

It is worth mentioning that this is the first time in the history of Chinese language teaching at the University of Kelaniya that the institution has participated in an international competition. As such, this is an unforgettable event for both the Chinese Language Unit of our university and the Confucius Institute, which organizes such events.

The competition took place from November 21 to November 23, 2024. The group of undergraduates, including Dr. Wu Hongyuan, representing the University of Kelaniya, departed for Thailand on November 20, they were warmly welcomed by volunteers from the Confucius Institute at Mahasarakham University.

On November 21st in the morning, the Director of the Confucius Institute at Mahasarakham University organized a small meeting for the University of Kelaniya team and the University of Tanjungpura, Indonesia team. Following the meeting, they were taken to the competition venue, where they had the opportunity to practice. In the evening, the inauguration ceremony was held at Mahasarakham University, with participation from 10 universities. Of these universities, eight are in Thailand. They are the University of Suan Dusit, University of Mahasarakham, University of Roi Et Rajabhat, University of Udon Thani Rajabhat, University of Rajabhat Mahasarakham, University of Kalasin, University of Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat, and University of Loei Rajabhat, among others. The two foreign university teams that participated in this competition were the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, and the University of Tanjungpura; Indonesia. The ceremony also featured a performance of traditional Thai dances.

The 8th "Silk Road Cup" Chinese Language and Culture Competition began on the morning of November 22, 2024, at Mahasarakham University. The competition consisted of three categories, starting with a quiz competition in which four contestants from the University of Kelaniya team participated. Next was the reading-aloud competition, in which all seven contestants from the University of Kelaniya participated. The final event was the talent competition, in which Vishaka Dewsara and Hansi Muthukumari presented a performance based on martial arts. The award ceremony took place in the evening, during which our university team received the Excellent Award and the Best Organizational Unit Award. This was followed by a dance performance showcasing Sri Lankan culture. After the ceremony, all the contestants were treated to dinner, where they had the opportunity to enjoy a Chinese hotpot.

On November 23rd in the morning, the Director of the Confucius Institute at Mahasarakham University took the University of Kelaniya team to visit the ROI ET Tower in Thailand. The invited guests, along with our university team and the Indonesian team, participated in the visit. That evening, the Director of Mahasarakham University and the lecturers hosted a dinner at the university, which was attended by all.

On November 24th, the University of Kelaniya team had the opportunity to go shopping in Thailand. They said they had a lot of fun that day. On November 25, the University of Kelaniya team visited the Confucius Institute at Mahasarakham University, where they met with its director and staff and expressed their gratitude for the warm hospitality. They then visited the Pramahatat Kaen Nakorn Buddhist Temple in Thailand. Following this, the team visited the Confucius Institute at Khon Kaen University and spoke with its director and staff. The University of Kelaniya team later arrived at Katunayake International Airport from Bangkok International Airport at midnight that same day.

A high-profile delegation from the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC), Ministry of Education, People's Republic of China, visited the University of Kelaniya for the first time on the 29th of November 2024. The delegation gathered in the University Senate Room, aiming to strengthen the educational and cultural ties between China and Sri Lanka, with a particular focus on advancing Chinese language higher education in Sri Lanka.

The visited delegates for this event included Deputy Director General Hu Zhiping, Director of the Division of Asian and African Affairs Wang Huichang, Program Coordinator of the Division of Asian and African Affairs Li Chan, Program Coordinator of the Division of Teaching Resources Ma Jianan, Program Officer of the Division of General Affairs Li Guoxiu and Chinese Director of the Lumbini Confucius Classroom Wang Fei, who also served as the interpreter for the CLEC delegation. The participants from the University of Kelaniya included Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, the Vice-Chancellor; Venerable Senior Professor Nadalagamuwe Dhammadinna Thero, Head, Department of Modern Languages; Dr. Sudath Senerath, the Dean, Faculty of Humanities; Dr. Jani Samarakoon, the Co-Director for the Sri Lankan side at the Confucius Institute at the UOK; and Dr. Wu Hongyuan, the Co-Director for the Chinese side at the Confucius Institute at the UOK.

The Chinese delegates were warmly welcomed by the University of Kelaniya Fine Arts Department with a performance by a Sri Lankan traditional Kandiyan dancing group. The delegates were deeply impressed by the vibrant cultural display and thoroughly enjoyed the performance, which showcased the rich heritage of Sri Lankan traditional dance.

After the welcome dance, Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Kelaniya, delivered the welcome speech. Following this, Deputy Director General Hu Zhiping expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and mentioned that this was his first visit to Sri Lanka. The co-directors of the Confucius Institute then introduced the honored guests from both sides who were attending the meeting. After that, Dr. Wu Hongyuan, the Co-Director for the Chinese side of the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya, spoke about the history of the Confucius institute University of Kelaniya and its contributions to the expansion of the Chinese language. Following this speech, Deputy Director General Hu Zhiping expressed his appreciation to the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya for its efforts in promoting the Chinese language and conveyed his gratitude for their valuable contributions.

Then, Venerable Senior Professor Nadalagamuwe Dhammadinna Thero, Head, Department of Modern Languages, explained on the history of teaching Chinese in Sri Lanka and at the University of Kelaniya. During his speech, he specifically highlighted that the establishment of the Confucius Institute has been a remarkable support in enhancing students' knowledge of the Chinese language.

Then, the discussion moved to its main objective, which was the introduction of new degree programs, master's degree programs, and postgraduate degree programs. It was also emphasized that the number of scholarships for Sri Lankan students could be increased. We hope to make this a reality soon with everyone's support.

After the meeting ended, gifts were exchanged by both sides, and a group photo was taken. This visit marked an important step in the growing cooperation between Sri Lanka and China, and the University of Kelaniya was excited to play a key role in this exchange of education and culture. The university looks forward to the positive outcomes of the visit, hoping it has led to long-lasting partnerships that will benefit both Sri Lanka’s academic community and strengthen relations between the two countries.

The Chinese Cultural Center of Sri Lanka hosted the “Chinese Food Carnival” on December 4, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The event was attended by several dignitaries, including the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, Ruwan Ranasinghe, the Secretary of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, A.M.P.M.B. Athapattu, as well as heads of major Chinese business institutions in Sri Lanka and renowned businessmen associated with Chinese cuisine.

The event, themed around promoting culture and tourism, invited around 200 guests, including individuals from all walks of life in Sri Lanka, diplomatic mission representatives, and Chinese business representatives, to participate in this grand occasion.

The Confucius Institute of the University of Kelaniya was invited to participate in the event. Dr. Wu Hongyuan, the Chinese Co-Director of the Confucius Institute, and Dr. Jani Samarakoon, the Sri Lankan Co-Director, along with the Chinese lecturers and staff of the Confucius Institute, participated in the event. Additionally, Teachers and students from the Lumbini Confucius Classroom, the Confucius Institute of the University of Colombo, and several Colombo district schools also participated.

The “Chinese Food Carnival” was held to promote culture and tourism. As part of the event, a painting exhibition featuring works by Chinese and Sri Lankan children was also organized. Additionally, the students who participated in the event showcased their talents. Notably, two third-year Chinese honors degree undergraduates from the University of Kelaniya presented two stunning dances that depicted Chinese culture.

The cultural experiences and interactive handicraft workshops were engaging and rich in cultural significance. There was also a pitch-pot activity and a demonstration of the art of Chinese Calligraphy. The audience showed great enthusiasm for these activities. There were many different Chinese food stalls here. All of them were created to showcase Chinese culture. A large number of people gathered at these stalls and it was a great opportunity for us at the Confucius Institute of the University of Kelaniya to also participate in this.

China's Chongqing Normal University and Sri Lanka's Kelaniya University have maintained a long-term relationship. To celebrate the 70th anniversary of Chongqing Normal University, the Vice Chancellor of Kelaniya University, Senior Professor Nilanthi De Silva, along with Dr. Sudath Senarath, the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, and the co-directors of the Confucius Institute of Kelaniya University, Dr. Wu Hongyuan and Dr. Jani Samarakoon, participated in the celebrations.

Chongqing Normal University organized various programs to celebrate its 70th anniversary from October 17 to 21, 2024. On October 17, the delegation from Kelaniya University flew from Colombo to Kunming and then from Kunming to Chongqing. By that time, the representatives from Chongqing Normal University had already arrived Chongqing Airport, where the delegations from the University of Kelaniya warmly welcomed them.

On October 18, a discussion was held with the Dean of the International Education Office. Proposals were discussed regarding the contribution of Chongqing Normal University to improve the knowledge of the Chinese language and culture of students studying Chinese at the University of Kelaniya. That evening, an exhibition featuring international students was held, where students from various countries studying at Chongqing Normal University showcased their cultures. Among the participants, eight students from the University of Kelaniya, who had gone to study at Chongqing Normal University in September this year, set up a stall representing Sri Lanka. The stall featured displays of Sri Lankan culture. The exhibition provided an excellent opportunity for the Vice-Chancellor and the delegation from our university to meet with Sri Lankan students.

On October 19, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya and the delegation attended the International Chinese Education Cooperation Mechanism Conference. Chongqing Normal University has signed agreements with several other countries in addition to Sri Lanka. These countries are Rwanda, the United Kingdom, and Papua New Guinea. The Chancellors and Confucius Directors of these countries were present on this day. The Chancellors of each country spoke on behalf of the university. At this, our Vice Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya,

Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, delivered a speech. She said that this meeting was another reason for us to further improve and maintain the relationship between the two universities. After the speeches of the Chancellors representing the universities of all countries, a special gift exchange took place between Chongqing Normal University and these universities.

On that day, a meeting was held at the International Education Office with eight University of Kelaniya undergraduates currently studying at Chongqing Normal University, as well as five undergraduates from Kelaniya University studying at Xinan University near Chongqing. The undergraduates shared their experiences with the vice-chancellor and the delegation from their respective universities. They also expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to study abroad.

On the evening of October 19, a special cultural performance was held at the Alumni Hall to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Chongqing Normal University. A delegation from the University of Kelaniya attended the event. During the celebration, those who played key roles in the establishment of Chongqing Normal University were honored. Many of them attended in person, while others participated in the cultural performance on Zoom. Notably, a 101-year-old professor, who has been with the university since its founding, attended. Dr. Jani Samarakoon from the University of Kelaniya had the opportunity to speak with him warmly.

All the alumni, current students, and professors of Chongqing Normal University participated in this cultural performance. Chongqing Normal University runs a preschool and primary school, and their students also participated in this performance. In particular, a feature of the undergraduates of the University of Kelaniya was also included in this performance. It was a very colorful and exciting night, remembering all those who gave fame to Chongqing Normal University and those who are no longer alive.

On October 20, a discussion between the universities was held at the Basketball Hall of Chongqing Normal University, initiated by Professor Zhang Yan, Secretary of the University Party Committee. During this meeting, discussions were held on how to improve relations between the two universities, scholarships, master's degrees, and the relationship between Kelaniya University students studying Chinese and Chinese students studying Sinhala.

On October 21st, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya and her delegation returned to Sri Lanka after completing their visit. We hope that the discussions during this visit will be implemented promptly to further strengthen the relationship between Chongqing Normal University and the University of Kelaniya.

The HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi), or Chinese Proficiency Test, is an official standardized examination that assesses the Chinese language proficiency of non-native speakers.

The HSK examination, originally scheduled to be held at the University of Kelaniya on November 16th, 2024, was postponed to November 23rd, 2024, due to potential transportation difficulties caused by the elections in Sri Lanka.

We could hold the mock examination, which was originally scheduled to take place alongside the HSK examination, on the 9th of November 2024. This time too, 250 candidates from various parts of Sri Lanka participated; notably, several foreign candidates also took part. The successful conduct of the examination was organized by Dr. Jani Samarakoon the Co-Director (For Sri Lanka) ， Ms. Zhu Lin and Ms. Huang Qin lecturers of the Confucius Institute, Dr. Wu Hongyuan the Co-Director (For China), and the Chinese lecturers and staff of the Confucius Institute, as well as the lecturers of the Chinese Language Unit the Department of Modern Languages who worked as invigilators. In particular, the technical officers of the Faculty of Humanities provided invaluable support to make the examination successful. We also received support from the university's private security section throughout the day of the examination. Thanks to everyone's support, the examination was successful.

The HSK examination was completed on 23rd November 2024. The results for the examination candidates will be released within a month. We wish all the candidates the best of luck.
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