
The World Tai Chi Day celebration organized by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka was held at the Independence Square today (26). The event was attended by the Chinese Ambassador, Mr. Qi Shanhong, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mr. Sunil Kumara Gamage, and Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education, Dr. Madura Seneviratne.
Participating in the event, the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports said that the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs would like to express its gratitude to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka for organizing this event. The Minister said that this event can be considered as an example of further strengthening the trust and friendship built between China and Sri Lanka.
Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage said that since Thai Chi, a traditional Chinese form of calm exercise, is primarily aimed at promoting health and peace, unity between different cultures and improving the mind, efforts will be made to popularize it among the people of this country in the future.
Speaking further, the Minister said that the following steps will be taken to popularize Thai Chi in this country.
- Adding Thai Chi as an alternative physical activity to youth training programs and community welfare projects,
- Calling Chinese Thai Chi teachers and instructors to Sri Lanka and trying to develop knowledge on this among local trainers,
- Creating awareness among the youth about the benefits of Thai Chi for mental health, physical well-being and self-discipline.
The Minister further expressed his views here and said that he hopes to continue working together in the future to improve the mental well-being of people through the exchange of cultural elements and knowledge between the two countries, and that he will continue to work by building new relationships through cultural and common human values.