中国现在已成为斯里兰卡最大的贸易伙伴，目前双边的贸易额达40多亿美元。然而，两国间的贸易存在着相当大的逆差
文｜本刊记者 张梅 褚骁骥 图片提供｜斯里兰卡驻华使馆
● 政党携手合作促进社会融合
● 斯中相互投资合作共赢
● 发展斯印关系至关重要
斯里兰卡是古代海上丝绸之路上的重要节点，郑和七次下西洋曾五次在斯驻节。新中国成立以来，中国和斯里兰卡在外交领域取得了丰硕的成果。2017年，斯里兰卡与中国迎来建交60周年和《米胶协定》签署65周年。7月29日，中国招商局港口控股有限公司正式获得对斯里兰卡最大的港口赫班托塔港99年的特许经营权。10月12日，《中国投资》杂志独家专访了斯里兰卡驻华大使卡鲁纳塞纳·科迪图瓦库先生。
政党携手合作促进社会融合
《中国投资》：斯里兰卡当前比较模糊的政治前景会对国家宏观经济政策的制定和政治改革产生怎样的影响，尤其是这种政治前景会对斯里兰卡总统与总理的关系产生怎样的影响？
卡鲁纳塞纳·科迪图瓦库：斯里兰卡在1948年取得了独立，在独立之前，我们首先制定了一部宪法，该宪法在得到了英国议会的批准后生效。在1948年所制定的宪法框架下，斯里兰卡是英联邦的成员国之一，其国家元首为英国君主。1972年，斯里兰卡制定了一部新宪法，该宪法确定斯里兰卡的政体改为共和制，总统取代了英国君主成为斯里兰卡的国家元首。曾经担任过斯里兰卡驻华大使一职的威廉·高伯拉瓦于上世纪60年代成为了最后一任锡兰总督。1972年，斯里兰卡颁布新宪法后，他又成了斯里兰卡共和国的第一任总统。之后，1978年，斯里兰卡又颁布了一份新的共和国宪法，该宪法规定斯里兰卡采取类似于法国总统制的政体，总理以及其他内阁成员直接对总统负责。在该体系下，总统不仅是国家元首，还充当着政府首脑，并且也是内阁的成员之一。斯里兰卡是一个多民族国家，僧加罗人是斯里兰卡的主要民族，其他的拥有较多人口的民族还有泰米尔族，印度泰米尔族，马来族以及其他民族。僧伽罗语和泰米尔是斯里兰卡的两种官方语言。根据宪法规定，英语是斯里兰卡的主要通用语言，被广泛应用在教育、科技以及商业等领域。
斯里兰卡总统拥有极大的权力，他所拥有的权力甚至比美国总统拥有的权力还要大。现在由总统迈特里帕拉·西里塞纳和总理拉尼尔·维克勒马辛哈所领导的政府已经修改了斯里兰卡宪法的内容，一些由总统所行使的权力将会被转移到议会中。
《中国投资》：对于海外投资者来说，新的政府是否能够保证斯里兰卡政治、经济改革的顺利进行？斯里兰卡议会中的不同党派，是否会因为其不同的执政理念而导致政府行政效率低下？
卡鲁纳塞纳·科迪图瓦库：斯里兰卡的政治环境有别于中国。有时候，对于议会中的不同政党来说，他们确实难以展开合作。然而，现在斯里兰卡议会中的两大政党都是由成熟的政治家所领导，他们有能力携手合作，保证政府的顺利运行。斯里兰卡需要一个强有力的政府来保证经济的发展。此外，恐怖主义在斯里兰卡也被根除了。斯里兰卡的政治领袖拥有足够成熟的智慧来作出决策，并且与其他国家保持友好的关系。
《中国投资》：2016年底出现的泰米尔国家主义运动，使人们又重新关注起曾经长期影响斯里兰卡社会经济发展的种族冲突问题。这种民粹主义思潮的出现是否会阻碍斯里兰卡第一大民族僧伽罗族与少数民族泰米尔族之间关系的发展？
卡鲁纳塞纳·科迪图瓦库：民族问题在斯里兰卡是一个复杂的社会问题。在过去，发生在泰米尔族聚居地的恐怖主义活动是威胁斯里兰卡国家领土完整的最主要威胁。1948年斯里兰卡独立后成立的第一届政府中，政府的成员来自国家中各个民族。然而，一些泰米尔族的领袖希望能够在国会中增加泰米尔族议员的数量，而泰米尔人组织则希望能够在斯里兰卡实行联邦制。
斯里兰卡是一个由众多民族所组成的国家，对于外国人来说，他们很难理解斯里兰卡的政治生态。除了来自北方的分离主义倾向，斯里兰卡还面临在南方所出现的两次武装起义，其中一次起义发生在1971年，另一次起义发生在上世纪80年代。为了能够让所有民族都能够享受到国家赋予他们的权利，斯里兰卡正在推动新宪法的落实，以便能够让国内所有的民族都能有表达自己的心声，从而达到促进社会融合的目的。
斯中相互投资合作共赢
《中国投资》：截至2016年底，作为一个拥有2100万人口，国民生产总值813亿美元的国家，斯里兰卡的人均国民生产总值为3903美元。中国作为世界最大贸易国，如何能够帮助斯里兰卡从一个区域性的国家，变成一个贸易中心？
卡鲁纳塞纳·科迪图瓦库：斯里兰卡现在已经成为了一个贸易中心，来自远东，非洲和欧洲的船只每天都会经过斯里兰卡。斯里兰卡作为东西方文化交流的桥梁，被誉为国际过境点。斯里兰卡每年都会接待很多来自中国和其他亚洲国家以及欧洲国家的游客。中国现在已成为斯里兰卡最大的贸易伙伴，目前双边的贸易额达40多亿美元。然而，两国间的贸易存在着相当大的逆差。中国可以在两个领域帮助斯里兰卡。一是增加对斯里兰卡的投资。斯里兰卡需要更加深入地进入中国市场。其次，增加到斯里兰卡旅行的中国游客数量。现在斯里兰卡已经成为中国游客的热门旅游地，我们的目标是到2020年使斯里兰卡成为在南亚地区最受中国游客欢迎的旅游目的地。虽然我们面对来自其他国家的激烈竞争，但我们仍然有信心实现这一目标，因为斯里兰卡是一个旅游资源非常丰富的国家，我们拥有着与众不同的景点，其中包括历史古迹，自然景观以及清洁的海滩。我们很高兴与中国媒体展开合作，宣传我们的国家。现在，中国的媒体已经为中国的公众塑造了一个充满活力的斯里兰卡的形象。
《中国投资》：斯里兰卡政府2017年9月初提出名为“愿景2025”的新政策。该政策明确将在创造就业机会，提高劳动力技能和支持出口导向型产业等方面提供支持。在“愿景2025”和“一带一路”倡议下，中国在斯里兰卡的发展进程中将发挥哪些作用？
卡鲁纳塞纳·科迪图瓦库：现在越来越多的中国企业开始到斯里兰卡进行投资。这其中既有国有企业也有民营企业。例如，招商局集团是一家在香港证券交易所上市的国有企业。我们欢迎更多的像招商局集团这样的公司来到斯里兰卡进行投资。尽管斯里兰卡与印度或印度尼西亚相比市场规模较小，但由于地处中东，东南亚，非洲和南亚的交汇位置，斯里兰卡拥有很多的投资机会。因此，投资斯里兰卡可以帮助投资者顺利进入其他印度洋国家的市场。虽然外国人不能在斯里兰卡购买土地，但他们可以购买斯里兰卡公寓楼4层以上的房屋，并拥有其全部的产权。推动中斯之间的投资，将会是一个双赢的结果。
《中国投资》：尽管中斯双方于2017年7月在赫班托达港签署了租赁协议，但就其基础设施建设而言，双方是否还会面临一些挑战？
卡鲁纳塞纳·科迪图瓦库：斯里兰卡已经在赫班托达建成了一个巨大的海港，并计划在那里建立一个产业园区。同样，中国企业也提出希望在该地区修建发电厂的建议。此外，中国企业还提议在赫班托达港附近修建炼油厂。正因为看到了该港口巨大的发展潜力，许多中国企业都有兴趣投资赫班托达港及其周边地区。
⬆斯里兰卡康提
发展斯印关系至关重要
《中国投资》：印度与斯里兰卡具有特殊的关系。在未来，斯里兰卡与印度在经济以及外交上的关系有可能得到进一步的加强，特别是在两国经济技术合作协定（ETCA）签署之后。斯里兰卡如何看待其在未来世界上所谋取的中期以及长期的安全利益？
卡鲁纳塞纳·科迪图瓦库：考虑到印度庞大的人口数量，迅速增长的经济，发展与印度之间的关系对斯里兰卡的发展而言至关重要。在历史上，印度在政策制定和外交方面对斯里兰卡产生了很大的影响。斯里兰卡北部地区和印度南部地区在地理位置上非常接近。因此，两国民间互动频繁。此外，直到二十世纪四十年代末，这两个国家都是大英帝国的一部分。我们对印度的发展持积极态度，因为印度是最靠近我们的邻国。两国之间的文化联系已经维持了好几个世纪。因此，我们必须与印度展开合作。当然，除了印度外，斯里兰卡还有其他几个主要贸易伙伴，如英国和美国。这些国家都是2016年斯里兰卡的主要进口国。同样，此外，斯里兰卡与中国的之间的关系正在迅速加强，我们希望在今后继续保持这种势头。（编辑：杨海霞）
Entering a New Stage of Win-Win Cooperation
——Interview with Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku, Ambassador of Sri Lanka
By Zhang Mei, Chu Xiaoji; China Investmen
Historically, Sri Lanka served as the entry port to the Maritime Silk Road, with famed Chinese traveler Zheng He visiting the island five times during his seven overseas trips. In the modern era, China and Sri Lanka have had a long and fruitful relationship; diplomatic relations were established 60 years ago while trade relations go back even further to the signing of the Rice and Rubber Trade Agreement 65 years ago. On July 29th, Sri Lanka signed a deal to lease its Chinese-built port in Hambantota to China Merchants Port Holdings to handle its commercial operations on a 99-year lease.China Investment Magazine conducts an exclusive interview with Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku, Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Beijing.
China Investment: What does the looming political landscape mean to macroeconomic and policy reforms and the policymaking process in general in Sri Lanka? Particularly, what impact will it cast on the President and the Prime Minister?
Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku: Sri Lanka regained her independence in 1948. The country formed its first government based on a constitution, which was passed by the British parliament just before Independence. Under that constitution of 1948, Sri Lanka became a part of the British Commonwealth and the Head of State was still the British monarch. In 1972, Sri Lanka installed a new constitution and the country became a republic.The president replaced the British monarch Sri Lanka's head of state. In theearly 1960s, William Gopallawa, who once served as Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Beijing, became the Governor-General of Ceylon as it was known then and, when the new constitution was adopted in 1972, he became the first President of Sri Lanka. In 1978, Sri Lanka adopted a new Republican Constitution which created and Executive Presidency. This system, which is still in place, is very similar to the French presidency. The President governs with the Prime Minister and a Cabinet of Ministers. Under this system, the President is both the head of the government and the head of state, as well as a member of the cabinet. Sri Lankahas several ethnic groups, of which the Sinhalese constitute the majority while the rest are Sri Lankan Tamils, Indian Origin Tamils, Moors, and Malays, among others. The two official languages are Sinhalese and Tamil, while the constitution defines English as the link language. English is widely used for educational, scientific, and commercial purposes, as well as for governance.
The Executive Presidency in Sri Lanka is very powerful. It has been known as the most powerful presidency in any country, even more powerful than that of the U.S. However, the current unity government headed by H.E. Maithripala Sirisena and Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe made an amendment to the constitution, which transferred some of the powers vested with the Executive Presidency to the Parliament.
China Investment: Can international investors expect successive governments to ensure progress on critical political and economic reforms? Or will differences between the country's main political parties continue to undermine policy co-ordination and weigh on effective governance?
Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku: Sri Lanka'spolitical system is different to that in China. Sometimes it is difficult for different parties to work together. However, the present government, due to the join mature leadership of two major parties, has been able to govern the country smoothly. Sri Lanka needs a strong government to promote the development of its economy. Further, Sri Lanka no longer suffers from terrorism.Sri Lanka’s political leadership is mature enough to make its own decisions,while maintaining friendship with all foreign countries.
China Investment: The emergence of the Tamil-nationalist Ezhuka Tamizh movement in late 2016 underscores lingering socio-economic and ethnic tensions and could shrink the political space for reconciliation. Will ethnic populism present a major impediment to relations between the Tamil minority and the Sinhalese majority?
Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku: This is a very complicated issue. Terrorism in the Tamil-speaking parts of the island was a major threat to Sri Lanka's territorial integrity in the recent past. When Sri Lanka became independent in 1948, the first government was formed by leaders from all communities. However, some leaders of the Tamil community demanded more representation in the Parliament, while another group demanded a federal form of government.
Sri Lanka is a country made up of many ethnic groups. Due to this diversity, it is not easy for foreigners to understand Sri Lanka's political climate. In addition to the separatist struggle in the country's north, Sri Lanka also faced two armed insurrection in Southern Sri Lanka, first in 1971 and then in the 1980s. Inorder to address the rights of all communities in Sri Lanka, the current government is hoping to bring in a new constitution that aims to enhance social inclusion, accommodating the views of all ethnic groups and communities.
China Investment: Let’s move to the topic of the relationship between China and Sri Lanka. At the end of 2016, with a population of 21million and a nominal GDP of USD 81.3 billion, Sri Lanka had GDP per head of USD 3903. As the world's top trading nation, how can China serve the Sri Lankan government’s plan to turn the island nation into a trade hub?
Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku: Sri Lanka has already become a trading hub, with ships from the Far East, Africa, and Europe passing through Sri Lanka everyday. Sri Lanka serves as a bridge between western and oriental cultures and has gained a reputation as an international transit point. Tourists come around the world, both from China and other Asian nations, as well as European countries. China has now become Sri Lanka's largest trading partner, with the current bilateral trade volume standing at more than USD 4 billion. Unfortunately, there is a huge trade deficit between the two countries in favour of China. Therefore, China can assist Sri Lanka in two ways. Firstly, by increasing investment in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka also needs greater access to the Chinese market. Secondly, by increasing the number of Chinese tourists to Sri Lanka. Right now Sri Lanka has become a popular destination among Chinese tourists, but our ambition is to make Sri Lanka the most popular destination in South Asia for Chinese tourists by 2020. Although we face fierce competitions from other countries, we are still confident of achieving this, as Sri Lanka is an amazing tourist destination with diverse attractions ranging from historical sites to an abundance of wild life, clean beaches, etc. We are glad to cooperate with the Chinese media for the purpose of promoting our country. The Chinese Media has already presented a very positive image of Sri Lanka in China.
China Investment: The new policy programme entitled “Vision 2025” launched by the government in early September 2017 sets out an agenda that is, among other goals, job creation, increasing the skills of the workforce, and supporting export-oriented industries. What is China’s role under Vision 2025 and the Belts and Roads Initiative?
Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku: Right now, more and more Chinese companies are investing in Sri Lanka. Some are state-owned while others are private companies. For example, the China Merchants Group is a state-owned company that does business as a private company, while listed onthe Hong Kong stock exchange. We need and welcome more corporations like China Merchants Group coming to Sri Lanka. Even though Sri Lanka is a small market compared to India or Indonesia, there are enormous opportunities in Sri Lanka due to its strategic location as an entry port to the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa, and South Asia. There fore, investing in Sri Lanka offers access to other markets around the Indian Ocean. While foreigners cannot by land in Sri Lanka, they can buy apartments above the fourth floor, holding hundred percent of the property right. As I’ve mentioned before, if Sri Lanka and China cooperate to promote investment, it will be a win-win situation for both.
China Investment: Will relations with China continue to face challenges related to infrastructure developments, although the two sides signed a revised deal on the Hambantota port in July 2017?
Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku: Sri Lanka has built a huge seaport in Hambantota and intends to establish an investment zone there. Similarly, Chinese companies have made a proposal for power plants in the area. Moreover, there is a proposal for an Oil Refinery within the vicinity of the Hambantota port. Right now, many Chinese companies are interested ininvesting in and around the port because of its huge potential for development.
China Investment: India enjoys a unique position in Sri Lanka.Economic and diplomatic links with India are likely to strengthen further,particularly after the signing of the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA). How does Sri Lanka see its medium and long-term future in the world in pursuit of its rightful strategic and security interests?
Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku: Given India's huge population and rapidly growing economy, the partnership with India will becrucial for Sri Lanka. Historically, has India exercised great influence in Sri Lanka in terms of policy making and diplomacy. The Northern parts of Sri Lanka and the Southern parts of India are very close. Therefore, there is interaction between people of both countries. In addition, both countries were part of the British Empireuntil the late 1940's. We see the growth of the Indian economy positively, as India is our closest neighbor. Cultural links between the two countries have existed for several countries. Therefore, we must work with India. Apart from India, Sri Lanka has several major trading partners, such as the UK and the US.These countries were the muin countyier of imports for Sri Lanka in 2016.Similarly, Sri Lanka's relationship with China is growing rapidly, and we hope it will continue to do so.