In an interview to China's state TV, President Mahinda Rajapaksa scorned western criticism of his government, remarking "it's easy for the western countries to talk, to criticise".
He said:
He said:
"The development of a country requires a stable government. A stable government is a powerful support to a country. A powerful government with full support by the people is the most important factor for us to push forward,"
"It's easy for the western countries to talk, to criticise. I'm sorry to say that the western countries criticise us without having a clear understanding,"
"Bilateral relations have extended to educational, social, cultural and all kinds of aspects. Thus, a high level of strategic cooperative partnership has been formed,"
"What I want especially to say is about Sri Lanka's infrastructure construction. For the port construction, we want a free port. As for the tourism, we need a lot of Chinese investment. And we are satisfied with the investment from China so far,"