Two Tourism Promotional strongholds got together, as Sri Lanka Tourism and City Alliance for Maritime Silk Road Heritage Conservation and World Heritage Nomination (CAMSR ) further strengthened their bilateral and cultural ties focusing on Heritage protection and development of Heritage Tourism, at a special ceremony and Forum held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Galle, on 19^th of May 2025. CAMSR, is an the organization  led by China, which is a city alliance comprised of 34 China cities and one Indonesia city, spreading across Guangzhou, Shanghai, Nanjing, Ningbo, Hangzhou, Wenzhou, Chaozhou, Hong Kong, Macau, etc. The CAMSR coordinator office is located in the Guangzhou Municipal Government, and the Guangzhou culture, Radio, Television, and the Tourism Bureau is the responsible government body. The Chinese delegation comprised of  Mr. Liu Xiaoming Deputy Chief of Guangzhou Municipal Culture, Radio, Television and  Tourism Bureau as the head of delegation together with Mr. Zheng Xiaolu  Division Director , Mr. Hu Jianguang Deputy Division Director  and Mr. Li Minyong , Chief Curator of Guangzhou Nanyue King Museum attended this event.

The event kicked off with a stunning Traditional dance performance which showcased Srilankan cultural elegance. As a VIP speaker, Mr. Sampath Nissanka , Managing Director  ,Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau addressed the gathering. He said “This event in Galle underscores the script of our relations that will be crucial for enhancing the full potential of this Initiative. By working together, sharing experiences, and understanding, we can ensure the Maritime Silk Route to become a pipeline for shared prosperity and development of both nations”. He further said,.‘’I strongly believe this initiative will unlock new avenues for tourism, to attract more visitors to Sri Lanka from China, and foster a deep cultural understanding and exchange between our nations’’

Mr. Liu Xiao Ming, Chief of Guangzhou Municipal Culture, Radio, Television  and Tourism Bureau expressed his thoughts on this initiative and mentioned that he was pleased to have this long standing partnership with Sri Lanka Tourism in promoting Cultural Heritage among 34 cities in China under the CAMSR program and importance  of  promoting Galle City as a world  heritage site accredited by UNESCO.

Mr. Waruna de Silva as a Board member of  Galle Heritage Foundation, made a descriptive presentation regarding the ancient relationship between China and Sri Lanka and also the significance of the Galle Harbour as a famous trade hub. Out of the seven voyages of Admiral Zheng He visited Sri Lanka in the 14^th Century from Yunnan, four visits were to Galle to explore its potential. He mentioned that specifically the Silk Route, which has been a popular pathway used to connect the two countries during the ancient times since 6^th century B.C, Sri Lanka had been an important landmark for maritime activities and trading of spices ever since then.  Records of Marco Polo and the Chinese Traveler Monk Faxian are examples for Sri Lanka as a popular Maritime destination. Therefore Galle is considered as a living heritage city and is also becoming a famous hub for International  festivals such as the Galle Literary Festival

Mr. Ruwan Wijerathna, Chairman  , Galle Tourism Department  also expressed his views at this occasion by elaborating their role as a provincial tourism body in  preserving and developing Galle as a Heritage city.

Thereafter the Maritime Silk Road forum was held, moderated by Mr. Li Pei Feng, Global Fellow Partner of  CAMSR program where questions were posted to the panel comprised of Mr. Li Ming Yong Chief of Guangzhou Nan yue kingdom Museum, Ms. Madubhani Perera, Director PR of SLTPB , Mr. Dushan Wickramasuriya, Director/Marketing of SLTPB , Prof. Amalka Wijesooriya Senior Lecturer at the History and Archaeology Department of University of Ruhuna, and Mr. Chandrarathna, Chief of the Galle Maritime Museum on the development of maritime and heritage tourism in China and Sri Lanka. During the forum ideas were shared on how best to make use of the CAMSR program for mutual benefit in developing and creating awareness of heritage tourism for both countries through study tours, sharing expertise and technical knowhow and supporting Sri Lanka to promote China as a key source market.

The Memorandum of Cooperation was signed by Mr Liu Xiaoming, Chief of Guangzhou Municipal Culture, Radio, Television  and Tourism Bureau and Mr. Sampath Nissanka, Managing Director of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion with the objective of  promoting cooperation in the research, protection and development of cultural heritage between the two countries formed by maritime silk road mainly  focusing on the historical City of Galle as a world heritage site.

Throughout the ceremony, video presentations of the tourism attractions of both countries were displayed, highlighting the beauty, and the immense potential both countries have as tourism destinations.

The event concluded with a special Chinese song presented by Mr. Tharusha and exchanging of gifts thus enhancing the friendship and mutual understanding, the need to cooperate in promoting Heritage Tourism, for the benefit of both Sri Lanka and China.