China’s President Xi Jinping pledged on Monday to strengthen cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative with Sri Lanka, following the inauguration of newly-elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. In a message to Dissanayake after his swearing-in ceremony, Xi expressed Beijing’s readiness to “make steady and long-term progress” in the China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership, aiming to “better benefit” both nations. Dissanayake, a Marxist-leaning politician, triumphed over outgoing President Ranil Wickremesinghe and opposition leader Sajith Premadasa in the first presidential elections since Sri Lanka"s bankruptcy in April 2022. He secured over 5.74 million votes, representing 55.89% of valid votes in the runoff. As the ninth executive president of Sri Lanka, Dissanayake promised to fulfill his “responsibility to usher in a new era of renaissance” for the country. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated Dissanayake, expressing eagerness to strengthen multifaceted cooperation for the benefit of the region. Pakistan"s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended “sincere felicitations,” wishing Dissanayake success and highlighting the desire to enhance Pakistan-Sri Lanka relations. Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu congratulated the new president and expressed eagerness to strengthen the historic friendship between the Maldives and Sri Lanka. — Agencies