The Chinese government Saturday hailed what it noted as considerable progress following the end of the war in Sri Lanka, Xinhua reported.
Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Wu Jianghao, speaking at the opening of the second phase of a Chinese funded highway, said that notable development can be seen in the entire country.
Wu said that over the past two years since he has been ambassador to Sri Lanka, he was able to personally witness the development of the country, which was not confined to capital Colombo.
"People used to ask me if Sri Lanka is a country which is not progressing. I tell them Sri Lanka is progressing at a rapid pace," he said.
The Chinese ambassador said that the opening of the second phase of the southern highway will help further boost the economy and tourism in Sri Lanka.
President Rajapaksa, speaking at the same event, said that the policies of past governments led to foreign troops being placed in the north during the war against the Tamil Tiger rebels and local troops virtually confined to their barracks.
A deal between Sri Lanka and India in 1987 saw Indian peace-keeping troops being deployed to the north of the country to disarm the rebels.