In a diplomatic blunder that has raised eyebrows, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake seemingly praised Taiwan during his address in Beijing while meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping. The slip occurred when President Dissanayake referred to the “Republic of China” – a term historically associated with Taiwan – while attempting to acknowledge China’s contributions to Sri Lanka’s development.
Initially, when he began reading the speech, President Dissanayake correctly mentioned the official term for China, the “People’s Republic of China,” in Sinhala. However, strangely, when he repeated the term later (see the embedded video at the 1:32 mark), he appeared to inadvertently use the term “Cheena Samuhanduwa” (“Republic of China”).
President Dissanayake said, “The Republic of China (Cheena Samuhanduwa) for decades has done a marvelous job in developing the social and economic spheres in Sri Lanka.” Though likely unintentional, the comment echoes a similar faux pas made by Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya earlier this year. Such mistakes are inexcusable when made by top leaders of any country during official engagements.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya, during a Colombo event where China provided free school uniforms, mistakenly praised Taiwan by referring to the “Republic of China.” The repetition of this error at the highest levels of government has drawn significant domestic criticism, with opposition figures questioning the government’s diplomatic finesse.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya, however, dismissed the backlash, blaming the media for sensationalizing the issue. Weekly publications had extensively highlighted the Prime Minister’s earlier mistake, which he argued was an unnecessary focus on trivial matters.
This incident brings to mind an anecdote shared by a reputed retired diplomat who served as Sri Lanka’s ambassador to China for several years. In one instance, a letter sent by the Sri Lankan embassy mistakenly used a lowercase “l” in “Sri Lanka,” which prompted the Chinese authorities to return the letter, highlighting the error and requesting its correction. In diplomacy, terminology matters greatly, and such errors carry significant weight.
Strengthening Ties Amid Diplomatic Missteps
Despite these controversies, President Dissanayake’s visit to China was marked by significant developments in bilateral relations. According to Chinese state media outlet Xinhua, the visit underscored China’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s economic progress.
The Xinhua report stated:
“China will actively support Sri Lanka in focusing on economic development and the two countries should jointly foster new highlights in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, as well as cooperation in modern agriculture, digital economy and marine economy, Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Wednesday.
China’s efforts in further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization will bring new opportunities for Sri Lanka’s development, Xi said when holding talks with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is in China for a state visit.
Noting that China and Sri Lanka enjoy a traditional friendship, Xi said bilateral relations have maintained healthy and stable development over the past 68 years, setting an example of friendly coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation between different countries.
With joint efforts, China and Sri Lanka have continuously promoted strategic cooperative partnership featuring mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship. High-quality Belt and Road cooperation and cooperation in various fields have achieved fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples, Xi said.
The two countries should have a keen grasp of bilateral relations from a strategic perspective and jointly build a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future, he said.”
Lessons for Sri Lankan Leadership
The diplomatic missteps, though minor, highlight the need for careful preparation and awareness in international engagements. As Sri Lanka deepens its relationship with China, such incidents risk introducing unnecessary friction into an otherwise fruitful partnership.
