On September 19, the Atana Water Treatment Plant—the largest single water treatment plant in Sri Lanka to date, executed on an EPC basis by China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC), headquarters of China Machinery Engineering Group Corporation (CMEC Group)—was officially commissioned. The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior Sri Lankan officials, including Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism; Anura Karunathilaka, Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing; Sarath, Deputy Minister of Housing; and Mahinda Jayasinghe, Deputy Minister of Labour. Also present were Qi Zhenhong, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, and Xie Ke, Deputy General Manager of CMEC Group, who both delivered remarks at the event.

During his meeting with Ambassador Qi Zhenhong, Xie Ke exchanged views on China-Sri Lanka economic and trade cooperation, particularly in infrastructure development. They conducted an in-depth discussion on the progress of the Atana Water Treatment Plant project, its commissioning preparations, and future operational arrangements. Xie Ke stated that CMEC Group will continue to uphold the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity, implement the important consensus reached by the two governments, and advance more concrete and substantive outcomes in China-Sri Lanka friendship and cooperation under the BRI framework.

The Atana Water Treatment Plant project is a key initiative highlighted by both the Chinese and Sri Lankan governments and a vital livelihood project for the local community. Upon entering operation, the plant will significantly enhance regional water supply capacity, ending the long-standing lack of access to clean drinking water for local households. The project holds major significance in reducing disease incidence and improving public health outcomes among residents. Xinhua News Agency has published a special report on this project.