Sri Lanka Seeks China’s Help to Power EV Revolution

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka is accelerating its green mobility ambitions with a bold proposal to establish electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the country as a Chinese-funded initiative. 

The plan was put forward by Minister Wijitha Herath during a high-level meeting with Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Minister Herath emphasized that Sri Lanka is increasingly importing electric vehicles from global markets, including China, and intends to introduce electric-powered buses in the near future.

He urged China to consider providing charging infrastructure as a donation to support the transition.

The Chinese Ambassador welcomed the proposal positively and agreed to inform the Chinese government about the request.

In addition, Minister Herath sought urgent assistance from China to repair railway tracks and bridges damaged by recent floods, stressing the need for swift restoration of critical transport infrastructure. 

Ambassador Qi assured that he would immediately draw Beijing’s attention to this matter.

The discussion also covered post-disaster recovery efforts following the recent cyclone. Ambassador Qi stated that China plans to assess the damage and explore comprehensive aid options for Sri Lanka across multiple sectors.