👉 Download the full comprehensive report here: Link

In January 2025, newly elected Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake undertook a high-profile state visit to China, marking a symbolic deepening of the bilateral relationship. Described by both sides as a reaffirmation of “everlasting friendship” and “strategic cooperation,” the visit culminated in sweeping agreements covering trade, infrastructure, education, tourism, and significantly-“media collaboration”.

While headlines focused on economic and diplomatic overtures such as Belt and Road megaprojects and debt restructuring pledges, less attention was paid to a critical component of Beijing’s influence operations: media and information control. Among the 20 formal cooperation documents signed during the visit, several pertained directly to joint media production, journalist exchanges, and narrative-building collaborations. These developments echo a growing global trend—Beijing’s strategic use of soft power and state media penetration to shape public opinion abroad, especially in politically vulnerable or economically indebted states.

This is not without precedent. Chinese influence operations in Sri Lanka have been steadily increasing over the past decade, ranging from content-sharing agreements between Chinese and Sri Lankan news outlets to Chinese state-run media establishing formal presence and syndication deals within Colombo-based newspapers. In 2024 and early 2025, these efforts entered a new phase: not only are pro-China narratives regularly echoed in Sri Lanka’s mainstream and digital media, but the Chinese embassy in Colombo has also become a vocal participant in local public discourse—publishing open letters, hosting media workshops, and inviting select journalists and influencers for state-curated tours.

Yet these media engagements have not gone uncontested. Past editorials by independent Sri Lankan outlets questioning China’s role in domestic politics, labor disputes around Chinese-funded infrastructure projects, and sovereignty concerns surrounding the Hambantota Port lease have led to diplomatic tensions. Beijing’s reaction—ranging from open criticism of media independence to increased outreach and alignment efforts with sympathetic publications—reflects a calculated strategy: neutralize dissent, co-opt media ecosystems, and entrench a pro-China narrative as default.

Media Influence

1. Daily Mirror & Sunday Times (Wijeya Newspapers)

• Founder / Ownership: Under Wijeya Newspapers, founded by Ranjith Wijewardene (en.wikipedia.org).
• Daily Mirror is part of Wijeya Newspapers Ltd, one of Sri Lanka’s largest private media houses. It publishes multiple outlets including the Sunday Times, Daily FT, and Lankadeepa.

The Daily Mirror’s portal features a mix of pro- and anti-China content, strategically placed to reflect Sri Lanka’s geopolitical dynamics and its relations with China, India, and Western powers. However, its social media narrative leans more pro-China, as evidenced by a video where Tabita addresses the BRI, stating, “Tabita reckons with the narrative or myths of Chinese Debt Trap. While some projects have failed, others have succeeded. Sri Lanka’s BRI challenges may stem from the Government of Sri Lanka’s failure to exercise agency in project development,” defending China’s role and attributing issues to local mismanagement.

Historical Context: Pressure from Chinese Embassy

👉 Download the full comprehensive report here: Link

• On April 8, 2020, the Chinese Embassy in Colombo sent a letter to Wijeya Newspapers Ltd., accusing its publications of “stirring hate speech” after articles called for compensation from China over the COVID-19 outbreak.
• Since then, Daily Mirror and its sister outlets have shown a noticeable editorial shift toward pro-China reporting, particularly emphasizing Chinese investments and Sino-Lanka relations, while still maintaining critical coverage of China on issues like Taiwan and human rights, avoiding an overtly pro-China stance.

Analysis of the articles published in the month of January 2025:

For the period from January 1, 2025, to January 31, 2025, we have done the analysis of the articles by categorizing them as pro-China, anti-China, or neutral, and further bifurcating them into pre-visit, during-visit, and post-visit periods based on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s state visit to China (January 13–17, 2025).  Here is the detailed analysis.

---

Time Frame: January 1, 2025 – January 31, 2025

• Total Articles Analyzed: 39

During-Visit (January 13, 2025 – January 17, 2025)

• Total Articles: 21

• Pro-China: 14

Examples:

• “China has played vital role in Sri Lanka’s social and economic development for decades: AKD” (Jan 16, 2025): Positive statement by Sri Lankan President.
  • “Sri Lanka secures highest FDI from China’s Sinopec” (Jan 16, 2025): Celebrates $3.7 billion oil refinery deal.
  • “Local political hypocrisy holds no bar for Sino-Lanka ties” (Jan 17, 2025, two entries): Defends Sri Lanka-China cooperation.
  • “China pledges deeper ties with Sri Lanka” (Jan 16, 2025): Highlights Xi Jinping’s support.
  • “SL, China agree to push for early conclusion of FTA” (Jan 16, 2025): Promotes trade cooperation.
  • “AKD invites Chinese President to visit Sri Lanka” (Jan 16, 2025): Strengthens diplomatic ties.
  • “China ready to work closely with Sri Lanka in ushering in new era of development: Xi Jinping” (Jan 15, 2025): Emphasizes collaboration.
  • “Winter sports boom in China: a trillion yuan market in the making” (Jan 15, 2025): Economic report without geopolitical slant.
    
    

Categories of Focus:

• Investments and Economic Cooperation: Emphasis on major deals like the $3.7 billion Sinopec oil refinery and potential free trade agreements.
  • Diplomatic Relations: Focus on high-level meetings (e.g., AKD-Xi Jinping), invitations, and pledges for stronger ties.
  • Countering Criticism: Articles defending Sino-Lanka ties against accusations of debt traps or political hypocrisy.
• Anti-China: 2

Examples:

• “Sri Lanka’s China dilemma: Strategic partnerships and the risk of overdependence” (Jan 16, 2025): Critiques Sri Lanka’s reliance on China.
  • “More than half a million ‘TikTok refugees’ flock to China’s RedNote as ban looms” (Jan 17, 2025): Highlights TikTok’s troubles in the US.

Categories of Focus:

• Debt Trap Concerns: Warnings about Sri Lanka’s economic dependence on China.
  • Technology and National Security: Criticism of Chinese apps like TikTok and RedNote over privacy and security issues.

• Neutral: 5

Examples:

• “TikTok users flock to Chinese app RedNote as US ban looms” (Jan 14, 2025): Discusses TikTok ban with negative framing.
  • “Taiwan’s NSB releases report on infiltration tactics used by China” (Jan 15, 2025): Reports on Chinese tactics factually.
  • “China’s strategic influence in Bangladesh: Soft power with political intent” (Jan 16, 2025): Analytical without strong bias.
  • “President leaves to China” (Jan 13, 2025): Factual reporting on the visit’s start.

“President arrives in Beijing” (Jan 14, 2025): Factual update on the visit.
🔎 For detailed investigation and case examples, download the full report here: Link

Post-Visit (January 18, 2025 – January 31, 2025)

• Total Articles: 10

Notable Observations

• Critical Articles on China Are Outsourced
  While the outlet occasionally carries critical perspectives on China, such articles are typically penned by external Indian scholars.
  Example:
  • China’s bid to control the Dalai Lama: A spiritual and cultural power grab (April 24, 2025) : Author: By Ankit K, Asst. Prof., National Defence University, India,
    This piece sharply criticizes Beijing’s interference in Tibetan religious succession, signalling external commentary rather than internal editorial opposition. (Link)
  • “Is China trying to further ensnare Sri Lanka in its debt trap?” (Jan 31, 2025): Author: Ratish Mehta, Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA). Warns that China is deepening Sri Lanka’s debt through agreements like the $3.7 billion Sinopec deal.
  • “Sri Lanka’s China dilemma: Strategic partnerships and the risk of overdependence” (Jan 16, 2025): Author: Vaishali Basu Sharma. Critiques Sri Lanka’s reliance on China, highlighting debt traps, human rights concerns, and geopolitical risks.

Trends

• Pre-Visit: Dominated by anti-China sentiment (62.5%), focusing on global concerns like Chinese AI, cyberattacks, and military activities.
• During-Visit: Strong pro-China tilt (61.9%), driven by coverage of investments (e.g., $3.7 billion Sinopec deal), diplomatic engagements, and defenses of Sino-Lanka ties.
• Post-Visit: More balanced but with persistent concerns on both ends

2. Daily FT

• Founder / Owner:
  Owned by Wijeya Newspapers Ltd, established by Ranjith Wijewardene in 1979 (former chairman of state-owned Lake House).
• Editor:
  Nisthar Cassim – a senior journalist and business editor with active engagement in China-backed media forums, reinforcing pro-China media cooperation narratives.

Pro‑China Orientation and Strategic Messaging

Daily FT consistently promotes China-positive narratives and defends the Chinese government’s foreign policy, particularly:

• Downplaying the “debt trap” diplomacy argument
• Supporting China’s position on Xinjiang and the One China Policy
• Portraying China as Sri Lanka’s most trustworthy economic partner

Editor’s Personal Involvement in China-Backed Media Strategy

• 2024 Media Cooperation Forum on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Chengdu, China on 28 August 2024
• Reported by Nisthar Cassim(Editor of Daily FT)

“The 2024 Media Cooperation Forum on China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) kicks off today in Chengdu… Themed ‘Enhance Media Cooperation for Common Development,’ the two-day forum focuses on the new role of media in fostering consensus and gathering collective strengths to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.”

Daily FT article by Nisthar Cassim, link

• Organized by: People’s Daily (CCP’s flagship media) and Sichuan Government

Objective: Boost global media alignment with the Belt and Road narrative

Collaboration with China

The Pathfinder Foundation, in collaboration with China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency, partnered with Daily FT to launch the ‘China Watch’ series—an initiative to publish curated Chinese news content tailored for Sri Lankan audiences, promoting pro-China narratives and Belt and Road themes.

Formal agreement signed in October 2017

• Pathfinder Foundation (founded by former minister and diplomat Milinda Moragoda)
• Xinhua News Agency – China’s state-run propaganda arm at the ministerial level
• Daily FT – Platform for publishing the content

Parties Involved:

🔎 For detailed investigation and case examples, download the full report here: Link

Purpose:

• Jointly publish ‘China Watch’, a recurring Xinhua-curated news section
• Content is tailor-made for Sri Lankan audiences to promote Chinese achievements, development model, and global leadership

Chinese Diplomatic Oversight:

The Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Yi Xianliang, was briefed personally on the editorial direction and coverage of ‘China Watch’ in Daily FT

What is ‘China Watch’?

• A regular column/supplement featuring:
  • Belt and Road Initiative updates
  • Xinjiang “stability” narratives
  • Chinese technological and economic “miracles”
  • Global South unity, anti-Western sentiment
• Sourced directly from Xinhua, functioning as a soft power content insert

This is another pioneering initiative of PF and its China–Sri Lanka Cooperation. Chinese Ambassador Yi Xianliang was personally briefed about the China Watch articles published in Daily FT.”

Daily FT, 13 Oct 2017.

Analysis of the articles published (September 2024 – March 2025):
For the period from September 1, 2024, to March 1, 2025 (to analyse sufficient sample data), we have done the analysis of the articles by categorizing them as pro-China, anti-China, or neutral, and further bifurcating them into pre-visit, during-visit, and post-visit periods based on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s state visit to China (January 13–17, 2025).  Here is the detailed analysis.

Overall Count in the timeframe
Time Frame: September 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025
Total Articles: 33

Pro-China: 20 articles (60.6%)
Anti-China: 5 articles (15.2%)
Neutral: 8 articles (24.2%)

🔎 For detailed investigation and case examples, download the full report here: Link

Notable Observations

Both Daily FT and Daily Mirror, owned by Wijeya Newspapers Ltd, established by Ranjith Wijewardene in 1979 (former chairman of state-owned Lake House), operate under the same media group but exhibit distinct editorial approaches toward China. Daily FT displays an overtly pro-China stance, actively collaborating with Chinese state entities to promote pro-China narratives. Notably, The Pathfinder Foundation, in partnership with China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency, worked with Daily FT to launch the ‘China Watch’ series, an initiative to publish curated Chinese news content tailored for Sri Lankan audiences, emphasizing Belt and Road Initiative themes and favorable views of China. In contrast, Daily Mirror adopts a more balanced approach, strategically featuring both pro-China and anti-China content. It provides a platform for Indian writers to publish editorials critical of China, particularly on issues like geopolitical influence and human rights, while also including pro-China articles that highlight investments and Sino-Lanka relations, reflecting an effort to navigate Sri Lanka’s complex geopolitical dynamics.

Trends

• The portal shows a strategic pro-China shift (60.6%), especially during and post-visit, emphasizing investments (e.g., FTA, Sinopec) and diplomacy.
• Pre-visit content is pro-China-leaning, setting a positive tone, while anti-China articles reflect Indian/Western concerns.
• During-visit coverage is exclusively pro-China, amplifying economic and diplomatic gains.
• Post-visit maintains a pro-China majority, with neutral trade reports (e.g., tariffs) balancing the narrative.

3. Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd (ANCL)/Lake House

• Founder / Ownership: State-owned; founded in the colonial era, now public entity.
• ANCL, popularly known as Lake House, is a government-majority owned media group (87%) founded in 1926 by D. R. Wijewardena. It publishes content across Sinhala, Tamil, and English, including three daily newspapers, three weekend editions, various weeklies, and a monthly in Sinhala—all available in print and e-paper formats.

Collaboration with China

A 2025 RTI application revealed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ANCL and Xinhua News Agency, part of a broader set of media agreements signed with other Sri Lankan state broadcasters:

• Counterparts:
  • Xinhua ↔ ANCL
  • China Media Group ↔ Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) & Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC)
  • Xinhua ↔ Department of Government Information (DGI) (english.ceylonnewsfactory.lk)

• Scope of the MoU:
  • News & content exchange
  • Personnel exchanges, training programs, and seminars for journalists
  • Coordinated coverage of high-level visits and events
  • Confidential terms ensuring non-disclosure of MoU contents
• Strategic Context:
  • Cemented during President Dissanayake’s January 2025 state visit to China, as part of broader BRI cultural diplomacy.
  • Reflects China’s regional strategy to use media partnerships for soft power influence in countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Maldives, via trained journalists and coordinated reporting.

Pro-China Content in Lake House Publications

While specific articles from Lake House in English/Tamil/Sinhala on China are less accessible online, broader trends and context suggest aligned narratives:

Government-aligned worldview: Lake House is state-controlled and often reflects official positions—promoting BRI cooperation, reinforcing One-China policy, and aligning with cabinet-backed foreign missions (freedomhouse.org).

Frequent use of Xinhua content: As ANCL directly received syndicated material, readers see China-sourced coverage of BRI projects, development achievements, poverty reduction, and diplomatic events.

Positive framing of Chinese projects: Coverage of debt restructuring, Hambantota Port, Port City Colombo, and BRI was generally favorable—highlighting economic benefits while downplaying sovereignty or sovereignty concerns.

Sunday Observer (Link)

Analysis of the articles published in 2025 (January 2025 to June 2025)

Total Articles:  47

• Pro-China:  35 (74.47%)
• Anti-China: 5 (10.64%)
• Neutral Articles: 7 (14.89%)

Trends

• Pro-China Dominance: The 74.47% Pro-China coverage reflects a strong positive framing of China, particularly in Sri Lanka-China relations, cultural heritage, and technological advancements.
• Limited Anti-China Coverage: The 10.64% Anti-China coverage focuses on specific controversies, indicating minimal critical reporting.
• Neutral Reporting: The 14.89% Neutral coverage includes factual reports on trade and diplomacy.
• The Sunday Observer’s social media reach is limited, with only its Facebook page, boasting 26,000 followers, performing well in amplifying its articles.

Daily News  (Link)

Trends

• Pro-China Dominance: The 75.00% Pro-China coverage reflects a strong positive framing of China, particularly in Sri Lanka-China diplomatic relations, economic investments, cultural exchanges, and technological advancements, with significant emphasis on state visits, foreign direct investment, and cooperative initiatives.

• Limited Anti-China Coverage: The 12.50% Anti-China coverage focuses on specific controversies, including health incidents, crime, and contentious diplomatic responses, indicating minimal critical reporting.

• Neutral Reporting: The 12.50% Neutral coverage includes factual reports on scientific discoveries, technological developments, and diplomatic events, maintaining a balanced but limited scope of impartial coverage.

• The Daily News’ social media reach is limited, with only its Facebook page, boasting 127K followers, performing well in amplifying its articles.

4. Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) & Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC)

🔎 For detailed investigation and case examples, download the full report here: Link

Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC)

Overview

• National television network established in 1982, operating under the Ministry of Information and Mass Media.
• Operates multiple channels including the main Sinhala-language channel, Channel Eye (English/sports), and Nethra TV (Tamil).

China Cooperation Agreement

• In May 2025, Cabinet approved an MoU between SLRC and China’s Chongqing Transmission Corporation, part of China Media Group (CMG).
• Agreement includes:
  • Joint media content production
  • Training and exchange programs for media personnel
  • Collaborative television programming and tourism promotion
• The Chinese MoU is part of CERLA’s broader package of media agreements sealed during President Dissanayake’s January 2025 China visit, including with other Sri Lankan state media.

Editorial Implications

• SLRC, as a government broadcaster, will likely integrate CMG-backed programming, adopting China-aligned narratives on tourism, culture, and strategic diplomacy.
• Signals a deepening editorial alignment with Beijing within Sri Lanka’s state broadcasting.

Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC)

Overview

• Established in 1925 (originally Radio Ceylon); now Sri Lanka’s leading state radio network.
• Broadcasts in Sinhala, Tamil, and English across multiple FM channels.

China Cooperation Agreement

• A MoU was approved aligning SLBC with China Media Group, similar to SLRC’s arrangement.
• Pressed through cabinet approval in early 2025, the agreement involves:
  • Capacity-building for SLBC staff
  • Program exchanges and joint production possibilities
  • Coordination during visits and official Sino-Sri Lankan events.

Editorial Implications

• SLBC may begin carrying CMG-produced radio features on Chinese development, Belt & Road, disaster relief, or science & technology achievements.
• Ties strengthen government control over state narratives, with Chinese messaging integrated into national radio programming.

CGTN-Sinhala

Ij-Reportika has extensively covered about the activities of the CGTN in our comprehensive report China’s Soft Power Propaganda Network

CGTN Sinhala is the Sinhala language service of the China Global Television Network (CGTN), a state-run international media organization under the China Media Group (CMG), controlled by the Central Propaganda Department of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Launched in 2023 to target Sri Lanka’s Sinhala-speaking audience, CGTN Sinhala aims to provide news and cultural content with a Chinese perspective, promoting communication and understanding between China and Sri Lanka. The service operates across multiple platforms, including a dedicated Facebook page and a website (https://sinhala.cgtn.com/), delivering content on topics such as Chinese culture, economy, environmental initiatives, and global news with an emphasis on China’s contributions.

Prominent Influencers

TK Asela Prabath Kumara

As China expands its global influence, a key strategy lies in recruiting and cultivating foreign influencers—especially those embedded in academia and media—to act as amplifiers of its official narratives. One such figure is Thelikada Kankanamge Asela Prabath Kumara, a Sri Lankan national who has become a recurring presence in Chinese state-linked platforms and soft power initiatives.

Currently a PhD student at Beijing Foreign Studies University and a lecturer at the Confucius Institute at the University of Colombo, Kumara embodies the profile of a foreign academic nurtured through China’s educational diplomacy. His entire academic trajectory—from undergraduate studies at Yunnan University of Finance and Economics to a master’s degree from Xiamen University—was shaped within China’s higher education system, particularly in programs designed to train non-Chinese speakers to teach Chinese as a foreign language.

Kumara is now a consistent voice in Chinese state-run outlets and official programs designed to showcase positive narratives of politically sensitive regions like Xinjiang and Ningxia, often echoing Beijing’s portrayal of ethnic harmony, cultural richness, and development success. His writings and appearances carry the veneer of grassroots, personal reflection, but functionally serve as tools in China’s foreign propaganda architecture.

1. Published Propaganda Letter on Xinjiang – Tianshan.net (June 2024)

In a glowing piece titled “Letter from the heart: A Sri Lankan student’s endearing memories of Xinjiang,” published by Tianshan.net, Kumara recounts his journey through Xinjiang in romanticized, poetic detail. The article reads like a love letter to a region under global scrutiny for human rights violations, yet it completely omits any mention of the Uyghur persecution or surveillance. Instead, it mirrors state narratives that present Xinjiang as peaceful, multicultural, and thriving under Communist Party leadership. (Link)

2. Coverage by State Media Outlets

• China Daily (May 2024): Kumara was featured in a report on sustainable development in Ningxia, expressing surprise and admiration at the desert greening efforts—again reinforcing Beijing’s message of eco-responsibility and modernization in western China.(Link)
• Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) and China Services Info (April 2024): Covered extensively as part of a 5-day tour in Xinjiang, framed as an academic initiative to explore the region’s “diverse heritage.” The presence of participants from developing nations like Sri Lanka, Iran, and Nigeria further helps Beijing position its policies as globally accepted.
  BFSU Coverage
  Study China coverage

3. Academic Publication in Chinese Linguistics

While not directly political, Kumara co-authored a paper titled “The Production of Chinese Tones: An Investigation of Pronunciation Errors Among Sri Lankan University Students”—a topic aligned with China’s cultural expansion through language education, particularly via Confucius Institutes, long known to be channels of Chinese government influence.

4. Institutional Role at Confucius Institute (Colombo)

Kumara currently lectures at the Confucius Institute at the University of Colombo, a soft-power arm of the Chinese government accused globally of restricting academic freedom and spreading sanitized versions of Chinese history and politics. His dual role as educator and influencer ensures the continuity of China-positive narratives within Sri Lanka’s academic ecosystem.

Maya Majueran

Maya Majueran, the Founding Director of Belt and Road Initiative Sri Lanka (BRISL), has emerged as one of the most active public voices promoting China’s geopolitical and economic narratives in South Asia. While BRISL presents itself as an “independent and pioneering” think tank, Majueran’s public commentary, social media output, and regular contributions to Chinese state-owned media tell a consistent story: unwavering support for Beijing’s strategic ambitions, both regionally and globally.

The BRI Promoter-in-Chief

Majueran frequently portrays the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a benevolent framework for development, ignoring growing evidence of debt dependency, strategic port takeovers, and weakened democratic institutions across BRI partner nations. His views often align directly with Beijing’s official lines, including in international interviews and op-eds.

In an interview with Xinhua, China’s official state news agency, Majueran asserted:

“China brings positive influence to developing countries through win-win cooperation, which is entirely different from the traditional Western way of doing it with hidden agendas.”

Xinhua, Aug 29, 2024

In a Global Times article titled “BRI helps shore up Sri Lanka’s economic resilience”, he defended China’s investments, ignoring rising concerns around environmental destruction, lack of transparency, and sovereignty erosion:“The BRI has significantly contributed to Sri Lanka’s infrastructure modernization and long-term development.”
Global Times, Jan 17, 2025

Loyal Contributor to Chinese State Media

Majueran’s opinion pieces and interviews regularly appear in some of China’s most high-profile propaganda outlets:

Media Outlet	Sample Headline	Date
Global Times	India shouldn’t poke nose into affairs of its small neighbours	Feb 26, 2024
Global Times	BRI not ‘debt trap’ for Sri Lanka, locals see benefits	Jun 28, 2021
China Daily	Ancient civilizations can seek modernization together	Nov 8, 2024
China Focus	Tariff Wars and Double Standards Are Threatening Global Economy	May 14 2025

These articles frequently echo Beijing’s preferred narratives—deflecting criticism of the BRI, minimizing human rights issues, and challenging the role of the U.S. and India in South Asia.

Influence in Sri Lankan Media

In addition to his prolific commentary in Chinese outlets, Majueran has also contributed to mainstream Sri Lankan publications, notably Daily FT.

 In an op-ed titled “Who holds Sri Lanka’s external debt and how China is assisting Sri Lanka”, he strongly defended China’s role in Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring, claiming that China has been unfairly targeted in Western narratives:

Daily FT – April 2024

His commentary in Sri Lankan media often mirrors the same talking points he shares with Chinese state media, particularly in framing China as a misunderstood ally rather than a debt-enforcing superpower.

Yasiru Ranaraja

Yasiru Ranaraja, as the Founding Director of the Belt & Road Initiative Sri Lanka (BRISL), has emerged as a prominent figure in promoting narratives aligned with China’s geopolitical and economic interests, particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). His activities, including his social media presence, contributions to Chinese state media, and engagement with Chinese government officials, suggest a role as a pro-China influencer used to advance China’s propaganda in Sri Lanka and beyond. Below is an analysis of how Ranaraja’s actions align with China’s efforts to shape global perceptions, drawing from the provided data and additional context.

Background and Role at BRISL

Yasiru Ranaraja is a Sri Lankan researcher specializing in maritime affairs and BRI development, with academic credentials from Dalian Maritime University and Ocean University of China, where he earned an LLM under a Chinese Government Scholarship in 2016. As the Founding Director of BRISL, a platform established in 2019 to foster cultural, business, and technological cooperation under the BRI, Ranaraja has positioned himself as a key advocate for China’s infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka.

Social Media Presence and Engagement

Ranaraja maintains a significant online presence, with 6,495 followers on his personal Twitter account (@YRanaraja) and 2,186 followers on LinkedIn, indicating a modest but influential reach. BRISL’s Twitter account (@BRI_SL) has 8,695 followers, and its Facebook and YouTube channels also engage audiences, though the overall traffic and following can be termed as below average.

Despite this, Ranaraja receives disproportionate attention from Chinese state media and official channels, such as the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka’s Twitter account (@ChinaEMBSL), which has directly engaged with his posts. For example, a tweet by @BRI_SL on June 21, 2025, highlighted Ranaraja’s interview with China Media Group (CMG), discussing China’s economic development and maritime affairs, which was amplified by Chinese state media. This interaction underscores how China leverages Ranaraja’s platform to promote its narratives.

Contributions to Chinese State Media

Ranaraja is a frequent contributor to Chinese state-controlled and propaganda media outlets like CGTN, Xinhua, and China Daily, where he is often presented as a “Sri Lankan expert” or “special commentator.” His articles and interviews consistently praise China’s policies and initiatives, aligning with Beijing’s propaganda goals. Notable examples include:

• CGTN Contributions:
  • June 5, 2025: In “China’s efforts in ecological civilization and global environmental governance,” Ranaraja lauded China’s environmental policies, emphasizing Xi Jinping’s ecological civilization theory and China’s leadership in global environmental management. He framed China’s approach as a model for sustainable development, aligning with Beijing’s narrative of global leadership. (Link: https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-06-05/China-s-role-in-ecological-and-global-environmental-governance-1DXkoaSKbO8/p.html )
  • April 6, 2025: In “Staggering U.S. tariffs a wake-up call for Sri Lanka,” Ranaraja criticized U.S. trade policies while highlighting China’s role in supporting Sri Lanka’s economic growth, positioning China as a reliable partner. (Link: https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-04-06/Staggering-U-S-tariffs-a-wake-up-call-for-Sri-Lanka–1ClsFisr7sQ/p.html)
  • November 12, 2024: In “Addressing climate injustice: A global responsibility unmet,” Ranaraja emphasized China’s contributions to global climate goals, reinforcing its image as a responsible global actor. (Link: https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-11-12/Addressing-climate-injustice-A-global-responsibility-unmet-1yrGPT8Ohhe/index.html)
    
• Xinhua Interviews:
  • October 26, 2024: Ranaraja discussed Sri Lanka’s application to join BRICS, praising the group’s “one member, one vote” system and framing it as a fairer alternative to Western-led institutions like the IMF. He highlighted China’s role in amplifying the voice of developing nations, aligning with Beijing’s push for a multipolar world order. (Link: https://english.news.cn/asiapacific/20240530/21524ff7d66d4836bdc0a540481e825b/c.html)
  • May 30, 2024: In an interview titled “China’s overcapacity theory contravenes market economy principle,” Ranaraja defended China’s production capacity in new energy vehicles, dismissing Western criticisms as trade protectionism. He emphasized China’s technological advancements and their benefits to Sri Lanka, such as improved infrastructure and energy security. (Link: https://english.news.cn/asiapacific/20240530/21524ff7d66d4836bdc0a540481e825b/c.html)
  • June 13, 2024: Ranaraja was quoted in Xinhua’s “Dialogue among civilizations critical for maintaining world peace, development,” where he praised China’s establishment of the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations, promoting Beijing’s narrative of cultural diversity and global governance. (Link: https://english.news.cn/20240613/2d3ecf0642b24ff9a2f2abffbfdabee9/c.html)

• China Daily:
  • June 22, 2021: In “BRI to overhaul Sri Lankan infrastructure, lift living standards,” Ranaraja highlighted the transformative impact of BRI projects like the Hambantota Port and Colombo Port City, framing them as drivers of economic growth and social development in Sri Lanka. (Link: https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202106/22/WS60d15331a31024ad0bacaa5e.html )
• Inzhejiang:
  • March 03, 2021:  Sri Lankan scholar Yasiru Ranaraja: An excellent retreat for Sri Lankan tourists to visit Zhejiang(Link:http://inzhejiang.com/ZhejiangFocus/GlobalWatchZhejiang/202103/t20210311_22230722.shtml)

These contributions consistently portray China as a benevolent partner, countering criticisms such as the “debt-trap diplomacy” narrative and emphasizing the BRI’s benefits. Ranaraja’s role as a commentator for CGTN and Xinhua, which are under the editorial control of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), suggests he is a trusted voice for disseminating China’s perspective.

Engagement with Chinese Government and Media

Ranaraja’s interactions with Chinese officials and media further illustrate his role in advancing China’s propaganda. He has been featured in high-profile settings, such as:

• Meetings with Chinese Officials: Ranaraja met with Mayor and city representatives from Yulin, Guangxi Autonomous Region, to discuss BRI-related cooperation, covered by Chinese media like Yulin News.

🔎 For detailed investigation and case examples, download the full report here: Link

• CGTN Radio Appearance: On CGTN’s “The Bridge” with Jason Smith, Ranaraja discussed BRI projects like the Colombo Port City and Hambantota Port, reaching a global audience of over 500 million across multiple countries. (YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/JRoRh-09U44?si=aTmSKQP2ez3_35Dd, Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UvBGxkCVRQD0VNJSoI17i)
• Belt and Road Initiative Platform: In a 2021 webinar, Ranaraja emphasized the BRI’s role in implementing long-shelved infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka, reinforcing China’s narrative of developmental success. (Link: https://beltandroadinitiativeplatform.net/2021/06/30/the-belt-and-road-webinar-series-two-the-pre-bri-china-sri-lanka-verse-post-bri-with-yasiru-ranaraja/ )
• China Belt and Road Network: Ranaraja’s comments on the BRI’s impact were featured, highlighting its benefits for Sri Lankan society. (Link: https://www.yidaiyilu.gov.cn/p/177128.html )

The “red carpet” treatment from Chinese media and embassy handles, despite BRISL’s modest online following, raises questions about Ranaraja’s role as a selectively amplified voice to promote China’s agenda.

Propaganda in Regional Media

Ranaraja’s influence extends beyond Sri Lanka to regional media, particularly in Bangladesh, where he co-authored articles in outlets like Dhaka Courier and United News of Bangladesh (UNB). For example, in “Can the Global South create a unified vision for modernization?” (March 2025), Ranaraja subtly praised China’s role in fostering interdependent regional cooperation through forums like the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), aligning with Beijing’s narrative of leading Global South development. These articles frame China as a driver of modernization, contrasting it with Western governance inefficiencies, thereby advancing China’s soft power in South Asia. (Link: https://www.dhakacourier.com.bd/news/Reportage/Can-the-Global-South-create-a-unified-vision-for-modernization/9118, https://www.unb.com.bd/category/opinion/can-the-global-south-create-a-unified-vision-for-modernization/156429 )

Editorial Contributions in Sri Lankan Media

Ranaraja’s editorials in Sri Lankan outlets like Daily FT and Daily News further demonstrate his pro-China stance:

• Daily FT (April 22, 2024): In “Sri Lanka-China research vessel saga and maritime diplomacy in Indian Ocean,” Ranaraja contextualized China’s maritime presence historically, downplaying concerns about Chinese research vessels like Yuan Wang 5 and framing them within international law (UNCLOS). He subtly defended China’s actions while acknowledging India’s security concerns, presenting a balanced but China-friendly narrative. (Link: https://www.ft.lk/columns/Sri-Lanka-China-research-vessel-saga-and-maritime-diplomacy-in-Indian-Ocean/4-760847)

Think Tanks

Path Finder Foundation

The Pathfinder Foundation (PF) is one of Sri Lanka’s most prominent think tanks operating in the areas of foreign policy, maritime security, regional cooperation, and economic development. While it brands itself as independent and policy-focused, evidence suggests the organization plays a significant role in promoting Chinese strategic interests in Sri Lanka and the broader Indian Ocean Region.

Founded by Milinda Moragoda, a former Cabinet Minister and Ambassador to India, Pathfinder has developed deep ties with Chinese institutions, regularly co-hosting forums, publishing favorable analysis, and advocating for stronger Sino-Lanka ties through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Formal Collaboration: ‘China Watch’ with Xinhua

• In October 2017, PF’s China-Sri Lanka Cooperation Studies Centre partnered with Xinhua News Agency and Daily FT to launch the “China Watch” series — a syndicated Chinese-government-backed news section tailored for the Sri Lankan audience (Already covered in the report).
• Founder Milinda Moragoda personally briefed Chinese Ambassador Yi Xianliang on the project’s content and role.

Deep Institutional Ties with Chinese Think Tanks

• In April 2016, PF signed an MoU with CICIR (China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations), a reputed Party-aligned think tank, formalizing long-term cooperation (lankaweb.com).

• PF regularly co-hosts programs and publications with CICIR, including “The Island of the Lion and the Land of the Dragon: Essays on Sri Lanka–China Relations” (2016).
• PF officials, including Executive Director Luxman Siriwardena, have met high-powered Chinese delegations—such as from SIIS and Sichuan University—to explore policy and educational collaboration (pathfinderfoundation.org).
• PF’s China-Sri Lanka Cooperation Studies Centre was inaugurated at a ceremony attended by Chinese Ambassador Cheng Xueyuan.

Ownership & Leadership: Milinda Moragoda

• Former Cabinet Minister, Ambassador to India, and founder of PF, Moragoda has positioned the think tank as a lead node in China–Sri Lankan policy dialogue (pathfinderfoundation.org).
• PF runs Track 1.5 dialogues with Chinese institutions, emphasizing maritime security and BRI cooperation .

Beijing-Endorsed Publications & Advocacy

• PF’s China Watch issues praise Chinese infrastructure investments, describing BRI projects like Hambantota Port, power plants, and highways as “utterly commendable” (pathfinderfoundation.org).
• PF has hosted multiple high-profile events such as the Indian Ocean Security Conference (2020) and maritime dialogue roundtables with Chinese experts.

Recognition by Chinese Authorities

• In 2014, the Chinese Embassy in Colombo named PF among its Top 10 partners during a Chinese New Year ceremony.

Confucius Institutes in Sri Lanka

Unit	Institution	Key Activities
Confucius Institute (Colombo, CIUC)	University of Colombo	Full HSK/YCT/BCT syllabus, cultural events, teacher/student exchange programs
Confucius Institute (Kelaniya)	University of Kelaniya	Scholarship hub, HSK/HSKK exams, Chinese Bridge competition participants
Confucius Classroom (Sabaragamuwa)	Sabaragamuwa University	Classroom instruction, teacher training, cultural education
Lumbini Confucius Classroom (Colombo 5)	Lumbini College	Weekend/intermediate classes, low-cost offerings, CFL teachers from mainland China

🔎 For detailed investigation and case examples, download the full report here: Link

Conclusion

Chinese propaganda in Sri Lanka was particularly active in the years leading up to 2020, with a strong presence through cultural institutions, media partnerships, and academic exchanges. However, following Sri Lanka’s severe economic crisis and increasing scrutiny of its foreign debt—much of which was linked to large-scale Chinese-funded infrastructure projects—the public perception began to shift. A significant segment of the Sri Lankan population started attributing the crisis, at least in part, to China’s so-called “debt trap diplomacy,” leading to a noticeable decline in overt Chinese soft power activities.

Despite this temporary setback, China is once again steadily reasserting its influence. With high-profile state visits, renewed investments, and diplomatic overtures, Beijing is working to rebuild its image and sway in Sri Lanka. This resurgence is reflected in the alignment of local media narratives, Chinese state-run media content, and the voices of social media influencers—particularly among students who studied in China or have been shaped ideologically through Confucius Institutes.

Together, these actors help amplify a narrative that positions China as a benevolent economic superpower, essential for national development, and possessing a clean human rights record—conveniently glossing over or outright whitewashing international criticisms. This coordinated messaging, though subtle, reflects a broader effort by China to reestablish its soft power foothold in Sri Lanka and reshape public perception in line with its foreign policy objectives.