On the evening of August 2, 2008, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that his country thanks for China's support and cooperation for Sri Lanka's efforts in safeguarding sovereign independence and promoting economic growth and wishes the Beijing Olympic Games a complete success. He made the remarks when meeting with Wu Dawei, Deputy Foreign Minister of China, who was attending the 15th South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit as an observer in Colombo.

Sri Lanka will stick to the "one-China policy" as always, Rajapaksa emphasized.

Wu also thanked the Sri Lankan government and people for their sympathy and support for China when its Sichuan Province was hit by an earthquake. He welcomed Rajapaksa to Beijing to watch the forthcoming Olympic Games and offered his best wishes for Sri Lankan athletes who were going to compete in the Olympics.

As the most important regional entity in South Asia, SAARC has made positive contributions to promoting cooperation among its member countries and the socio-economic development in the region, Wu said. He also said that China expected SAARC could play a more significant role in maintaining the peace, stability and prosperity in South Asia and around the world. "The Chinese government would like to further its mutually beneficial cooperation with SAARC in promoting peace, prosperity and harmony across Asia and the world at large," Wu said.

Rajapaksa said he expected China to play a more important role in South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC).