Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse told a visiting Communist Party of China (CPC) delegation on Friday that his party will strengthen friendly relationship with the CPC.

Rajapakse, who is also the leader of the ruling Sri Lankan Freedom Party (SLFP), made the remarks during his meeting with the good-will delegation led by Liu Hongcai, deputy head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee.

Rajapakse said Sri Lanka and China have been enjoying a solid friendship in the last 50 years.

"We appreciate the massive assistance provided by the Chinese government and the Chinese people to Sri Lanka for its economic and social development," Rajapakse told his Chinese guests.

The president hoped that his party and the CPC could share their governing experience, adding that closer relations should be established between young politicians of the two parties.

Liu said the CPC and the Chinese government attached great importance to the Sino-Lankan relationship.

He said the CPC is ready to strengthen and deepen its relationship with the SLFP and other main parties in Sri Lanka.

Liu and his delegation arrived here Wednesday for a three-day visit at the invitation of the SLFP.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, main opposition leader Ranil Wickramasinghe and some other senior Sri Lankan politicians also met Liu and his delegation during their stay.

(Xinhua News Agency October 11, 2008)