Students and a teacher carry gifts of stationery provided by the Chinese embassy to Sri Lanka, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sept. 2, 2020. (Xinhua/Tang Lu)

 
The COVID-19 had caused huge problems to countries around the world, while it also highlighted the traditional friendship between China and Sri Lanka, said Hu Wei, Chargé d'affaires of the Chinese embassy to Sri Lanka.

Over 700 students from 19 schools in Sri Lankan capital city have received gifts of stationery and panda school bags from the Chinese embassy to Sri Lanka.

Students and teachers representatives gathered at the auditorium of the Al Hidaya school for the gift-giving ceremony on Wednesday.

Hu Wei, Chargé d'affaires of the Chinese embassy to Sri Lanka, hands over a panda school bag to a student, at the auditorium of the Al Hidaya school in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sept. 2, 2020. (Photo by Ajith Perera/Xinhua)

 
Local organizers of the ceremony said the stationery provided by the Chinese embassy bears love and affection from the Chinese people.
Hu Wei, Chargé d'affaires of the Chinese embassy to Sri Lanka, handed over the gifts to the students and called on them to work hard.

Students are on their way home with gifts of stationery provided by the Chinese embassy to Sri Lanka, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sept. 2, 2020. (Xinhua/Tang Lu)

 
Videos about the anti-epidemic cooperation between Sri Lanka and China and the joint construction of the Belt and Road projects in Sri Lanka were also shown at the ceremony.

Hu said while the COVID-19 epidemic has caused much disruptions around the world, it was also an opportunity to consolidate the traditional friendship between China and Sri Lanka.

"I hope that the students will study hard, grow up sturdily, and join the tide of friendship and practical cooperation between China and Sri Lanka when they grow up, making their own contributions to the development of the country," Hu said.