Chinese Def Min arrives today; Western Diplomats race to Opposition Leader

COLOMBO (News 1st); Ambassadors of the European Union called on Sri Lanka's opposition leader Sajith Premadasa on Tuesday (27) morning, hours ahead of the arrival of Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe’s visit to Sri Lanka. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka Denis Chaibi led the delegation comprising of; 01. Eric Lavertu, Ambassador of France for Sri Lanka 02. Rita Giuliana Mannella, Ambassador of Italy for Sri Lanka and Maldives 03. Holger Seubert, Ambassador of Germany for Sri Lanka 04. Dr. Victor Chiujdea, Ambassador of Romania for Sri Lanka. According to a statement posted on Sajith Premadasa's official Facebook Page, meeting was based on the current situation face by Sri Lanka while attention was drawn towards Sri Lanka's shortcomings in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. "The meeting was also based on the government's suppressive programs," said the statement adding the efforts taken by the Samagi Jana Balavegaya led Opposition was also discussed. The Opposition Leader had told the diplomats that as the alternative government, the Samagi Jana Balavegaya will commit towards securing the rights of the people. Later on Tuesday (27), China’s Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe will arrive in Sri Lanka, on an official visit until the 29th April 2021. During the visit, China’s State Councilor and Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe is scheduled to call on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Department of Government Information said. General Wei Fenghe was appointed to head Ministry of National Defense of The Republic of China, at the 13th National People's Congress on 19th March 2018. Who is General Wei Fenghe? Born in February 1954, General Wei Fenghe is from Chiping, Shandong province, China. He joined the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in December 1970 and the Communist Party of China (CPC) in January 1972. He is a graduate of the PLA National Defense University(NDU) where he majored in Coordinated Operations Command and was awarded a Bachelor degree. General Wei is currently a member of the 19th CPC Central Committee, a member of the CPC Central Military Committee, a member of the Central Military Committee of the People's Republic of China (PRC), State Councilor, a member of the Leading Party Members' Group of the State Council, and Defense Minister who holds the rank of General. On 1st December 2020, China’s Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe was conferred Nishan-e-Imtiaz (military) in recognition to his illustrious services for strengthening defence relations between Pakistan and China, reported foreign media.