New Chinese Ambassador Wei Huaxiang meets ex-President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Colombo, discussing his new book, health, and regional views.

Wei Huaxiang holds first formal meeting with the former President since taking up his post, as Wickremesinghe reveals he is writing a book on Sri Lanka’s economic crisis

Sri Lanka’s newly appointed Chinese Ambassador, Wei Huaxiang, met former President Ranil Wickremesinghe today (16) at the ex-President’s political office on Flower Road, Colombo, marking the envoy’s first official engagement with the former Head of State since arriving in the country.

The meeting brought together senior figures from both sides. Ambassador Wei was accompanied by Deputy Ambassador Zhu Yanwei, Counsellor Mei Jing, and Third Secretary Jin Enze. Former President Wickremesinghe welcomed the delegation warmly, opening the discussion with a personal update on his health and current activities.

Wickremesinghe Reveals New Book on Sri Lanka’s Economy

During the conversation, Wickremesinghe made a notable revelation: he is writing a book that examines how Sri Lanka’s economy was managed during his presidency, a period that included the country’s worst financial crisis in decades.

“I am not engaged in as many activities as I was previously. I am also writing a book on how Sri Lanka’s economy was managed during the period when I served as President,” Wickremesinghe told the Ambassador.

He also shared that he had recently travelled to Singapore for a further medical examination and confirmed that he was in good health. The former President explained that he has stepped back from day-to-day political work, entrusting party activities to others. He said the same arrangement now applies to matters concerning the united opposition.

Despite scaling back his public role, Wickremesinghe made clear that his interest in foreign policy has not faded. He told the Ambassador that he continues to follow Sri Lanka’s position and role within the Indian Ocean region closely, an area where he has long positioned the country as a strategically important player between major global powers.

A Symbolic First Meeting

For Ambassador Wei, the visit to Flower Road carried symbolic weight. Meeting a former President early in a diplomatic posting is a customary step for new envoys in Colombo, reflecting the importance both governments place on continuity in bilateral relations regardless of changes in political leadership.

China has been one of Sri Lanka’s most significant international partners over the past two decades, with deep involvement in infrastructure financing, trade, and development cooperation. Wickremesinghe, during his own time in office, engaged directly with Chinese officials on several occasions as Sri Lanka navigated its economic recovery. Today’s meeting suggests that engagement between Wickremesinghe and Chinese diplomatic representatives is set to continue, even though he no longer holds executive office.

Wickremesinghe’s Wider Public Profile

Wickremesinghe remains one of Sri Lanka’s most closely watched political figures. He served as President from July 2022 to September 2024, taking office during the country’s economic collapse and steering it through a difficult recovery period that included debt restructuring and IMF-backed reforms. He also served as Prime Minister six times over his long political career and currently leads the United National Party (UNP).

His public profile in recent months has also been shaped by a separate and unrelated legal matter: in August 2025, Wickremesinghe was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department over allegations of misusing state funds during an official trip abroad in 2023. He was later granted bail, with the case scheduled for its next hearing in late October 2025. That legal process is ongoing and separate from today’s diplomatic engagement.

What Comes Next

Neither the former President’s office nor the Chinese Embassy in Colombo has indicated whether today’s meeting will lead to further engagements. However, given Wickremesinghe’s continued interest in regional affairs and his history of active diplomacy, further contact between his office and the Chinese mission in Colombo appears likely in the months ahead.

For now, the meeting stands as a quiet but notable moment: a former Head of State, stepping back from daily politics but still engaged with the world stage, receiving one of Sri Lanka’s most important diplomatic partners at his Flower Road office.

FAQ’s

Q1: Who is Sri Lanka’s newly appointed Chinese Ambassador?
Wei Huaxiang is the newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka. His meeting with former President Ranil Wickremesinghe was his first official engagement with the former Head of State since taking up his post.

Q2: Where did the meeting between Wei Huaxiang and Ranil Wickremesinghe take place?
The meeting was held at former President Wickremesinghe’s political office on Flower Road, Colombo.

Q3: What is Ranil Wickremesinghe’s new book about?
Wickremesinghe said he is writing a book examining how Sri Lanka’s economy was managed during his presidency, covering the period of the country’s economic crisis and recovery.

Q4: Is Ranil Wickremesinghe still involved in day-to-day politics?
No. He said he has stepped back from most activities and has entrusted party affairs, as well as matters relating to the united opposition, to others.

Q5: What did Wickremesinghe say about his health?
He said he had recently travelled to Singapore for a further medical examination and confirmed that he is in good health.

Q6: Who else attended the meeting from the Chinese delegation?
Ambassador Wei Huaxiang was accompanied by Deputy Ambassador Zhu Yanwei, Counsellor Mei Jing, and Third Secretary Jin Enze.

Q7: Does Wickremesinghe still comment on foreign policy?
Yes. He told the Ambassador that he continues to follow Sri Lanka’s position and role within the Indian Ocean region closely.

Q8: Is this meeting connected to Wickremesinghe’s 2025 arrest case?
No. The arrest, which took place in August 2025 over alleged misuse of state funds, is a separate legal matter. Wickremesinghe was later released on bail, with the case due for its next hearing in late October 2025. It is unrelated to this diplomatic meeting.

Q9: When did Ranil Wickremesinghe serve as President of Sri Lanka?
He served as President from July 2022 to September 2024, after earlier serving as Prime Minister six times.