For young Sri Lankan Marsh, the most nostalgic time for him is the days when he studied at a university in Tianjin, China. Now, he has returned to his hometown and works in the tourism industry, but he still pays special attention to things around him that have "Chinese elements." "This 100-Sri Lankan Rupee banknote is printed with the Lakvijaya Power Plant built by a Chinese company," Marsh said enthusiastically.

As a landmark project of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Lakvijaya Power Plant is Sri Lanka's first and only coal-fired power plant, built by China Machinery Engineering Corporation. The image of the power plant is printed on the 100-Sri Lankan Rupee banknote, making it well-known among the Sri Lankan people.

While providing power to countless families, the Lakvijaya Power Plant has provided significant support to the economic development of Sri Lanka and has also impacted the lives and work of many locals, like Marsh.

Learn a lot of new skills working at the power plant

Driving north for about 130 kilometers from Colombo in Sri Lanka, we arrived at the location of the Lakvijaya Power Plant on the Kalpitiya Peninsula. What caught our eyes were the three towering chimneys of the Lakvijaya Power Plant connecting the sea and the sky. However, there was hardly any smoke coming out of the chimneys, and near the power plant, there was no sound of any roaring.

When we arrived near the Lakvijaya Power Plant, it was time to get off work. Our reporter happened to meet Chamara, a local working in the power plant who shared his story with the power plant with us.

"I came to work at the power plant five years ago. For me, this is a good job. Chamara, 34, said that the job allowed him to learn new skills and knowledge every day and constantly enrich himself, which made him very happy.

The Lakvijaya Power Plant not only provides many job opportunities for local people but also brings convenience to the lives of residents. "I have three electric fans at home, and due to the hot weather, we rely heavily on electricity." In Marsh's opinion, after the completion of the Lakvijaya Power Plant, the local electricity supply has become more stable.

Our trip to Sri Lanka also gave us an understanding of the local electricity usage. The hotel, located about two kilometers from the power station, is equipped with air conditioning, fans, Wi-Fi, and other facilities. As night falls, the hotel lights up with dazzling lights, and tourists from around the world enjoy the Indian Ocean breeze and chat under the twinkling lights.

The power plant witnesses friendship between China and Sri Lanka

It is reported that the Lakvijaya Power Plant was built in two phases, and both phases were completed in 2014. Today, the power plant is well-known among the people of Sri Lanka. Recently, a young Sri Lankan named Kai, along with his wife Lisa, came to the vicinity of the power plant specifically to take a photo.

"My wife is from Northeast China, and the Lakvijaya Power Plant was built by China. We think it is meaningful for us to go to the power station to have a look. Near the power plant, Kai and Lisa put together a 100-Sri Lankan Rupee banknote with the Lakvijaya Power Plant and posted it on social media, receiving many likes from netizens. Lisa said that, as a Chinese, she has a sense of pride whenever she sees banknotes printed with the Lakvijaya Power Plant.

"The Lakvijaya Power Plant is the largest power production base in our country," Kai told reporters that the power station provides important power for Sri Lanka and has brought great help to social development.

The Lakvijaya Power Plant witnesses the friendship between China and Sri Lanka, just as the cross-border love story of Kai and Lisa has many beautiful memories about the two countries. "I have been to many cities in China, and I really enjoy eating Hunan cuisine. I feel that China is a very modernized country," Kai happily shared his experiences in China.

Kai is still a boxing enthusiast, and he often takes Lisa to watch boxing matches. As dusk falls, inside the boxing arena, the fighters throw punches skillfully, and the cheers of the audience rise and fall; outside the venue, the night sky is quiet, vehicles come and go on the road, and the lights of thousands of households gradually light up in the darkness.

Chinese elements shine on the streets of Sri Lanka

The Lakvijaya Power Plant is the most impressive Chinese element in Sri Lanka. In addition, many Chinese elements can be found in the streets here.

In Colombo, there is a China Street. Here, many electronic products from China are sold. Not far from China Street, a prototype of the port city, known as the "City of the Future, is emerging. In September 2014, the Colombo Port City in Sri Lanka started construction under the witness of leaders from China and Sri Lanka. The Port City is hailed as a model of cooperation between China and Sri Lanka in building the Belt and Road Initiative. After years of hard work, Port City has gradually turned from an aspiration of the Sri Lankan people into a reality.

Walking on the streets of Sri Lanka, you will also see many Chinese restaurants and the products of Chinese brands. When the locals see Chinese faces, they will be filled with bright smiles and warmly greeted with a hello in Chinese.

Highlight: Power station "Built by China" appears on Sri Lankan Rupee banknote

The Sri Lankan Rupee banknote is the currency of Sri Lanka, with subunits called cents. There are various denominations of banknotes and coins in circulation, including 5000, 1000, 500, and 100. On February 4^th, 2011, Sri Lanka's Independence Day, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka issued a new series of banknotes with the theme of "Development, Prosperity, Sri Lankan Dancers". Among them, the 100-Sri Lankan Rupee features an aerial view of the Lakvijaya Power Plant, known as the "Light of Victoria" by the people of Sri Lanka.

The Lakvijaya Power Plant is Sri Lanka's first and only coal-fired power plant, and it is also the largest power generation facility in Sri Lanka. The power plant was constructed by China Machinery Engineering Corporation in two phases, including three 300,000 KW units and their auxiliary facilities, a 5,000-ton coal terminal and terminal facilities, two 220 KV transmission lines and their substations. The construction was completed and put into operation in 2011 and 2014, respectively.

Before the grid connection of this power station, Sri Lanka only had three forms of power generation: fuel, wind, and hydro. Wind and hydropower are too dependent on natural conditions and are unstable, while fuel prices fluctuate and the cost of power generation is high. The operation of this power plant has greatly alleviated the problem of power supply shortage in Sri Lanka and has also created more job opportunities locally.

Friendship between China and Sri Lanka crossing mountains and sea

Sri Lanka is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, south of the Indian subcontinent. It is close to the equator and has a tropical climate all year round. It is known for its beautiful scenery and is often referred to as the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean."

China and Sri Lanka have a long history of friendly exchanges. As early as the prosperous period of the ancient Maritime Silk Road, there were close contacts between China and Sri Lanka. In 1952, China and Sri Lanka signed the Rubber-Rice Pact, which became a highlight in the history of friendly cooperation between the two countries. On February 7^th, 1957, China and Sri Lanka officially established diplomatic relations.

China and Sri Lanka are good friends who watch out for each other, good partners who seek common development, and good brothers who support each other. In recent years, the two countries have continuously expanded their cooperation in various fields, taking the opportunity of jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative. Over the past decade, the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative between China and Sri Lanka has yielded fruitful results like the Colombo Port City, the Hambantota Port, the Southern Expressway and the Lotus Tower in Sri Lanka, helping to promote Sri Lanka's economic development and improve people's livelihoods.

In mid-August this year, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe led a delegation to Yunnan to attend the 7th China-South Asia Expo & the 27th Kunming Fair. He said, "China's development has brought opportunities for neighboring countries and regions and injected more stability into the world. Over the past ten years, the Belt and Road Initiative has promoted the prosperity and development of participating countries."

“中国造”电站被印上斯里兰卡纸币，揭秘点亮万家灯火背后的故事

对于斯里兰卡小伙儿马什而言，令他最怀念的时光莫过于在中国天津读大学的日子。如今，他已回到家乡从事旅游行业的工作，但他依旧会特别关注身边具有“中国元素”的事物。“这张100卢比纸币上印着的就是由中国企业建造的普特拉姆燃煤电站。”马什热情地说道。

作为“一带一路”标志性项目，普特拉姆燃煤电站是斯里兰卡第一座也是唯一一座燃煤电站，由中国机械设备工程股份有限公司承建。该电站图像印在了斯里兰卡100卢比纸币上，从而被斯里兰卡广大民众所熟知。

普特拉姆燃煤电站在点亮万家灯火的同时，为斯里兰卡经济发展提供了重要助力，也影响着诸多像马什一样的当地人的生活与工作。

在电站工作学了很多新技能

2023年9月，从斯里兰卡首都科伦坡驱车一路向北约130公里，我们来到了普特拉姆燃煤电站所在地卡尔皮提亚半岛。映入眼帘的是海天之间普特拉姆燃煤电站高矗的三根烟囱。而烟囱里，几乎看不到冒出的烟尘；在电站附近，也听不见任何轰鸣。

我们到达普特拉姆燃煤电站附近时，正值员工下班时间。记者偶遇了在电站内工作的当地小伙儿查马拉，聆听着他与这座电站的故事。

“5年前，我来到了这座电站工作。对于我来说，这是一份不错的工作。”34岁的查马拉说，这份工作让他每天都能够学习到新的技能和知识，不断充实自己，这令他很开心。

普特拉姆燃煤电站在为当地人提供诸多就业机会的同时，也为当地居民的生活带来了便利。“我家有三台电风扇，由于天气炎热，我们对电的依赖程度很高。”在马什看来，普特拉姆燃煤电站建成后，当地的用电更加稳定了。

斯里兰卡之行，也让我们对于当地的电力使用情况有所体会。距离电站约两公里的酒店内，空调、电扇、Wi-Fi等设施，一应俱全。暮色降临，酒店内绚丽的灯光悉数点亮，来自世界各地的游人吹着印度洋的海风，在点点灯光下畅聊。

电站见证中斯两国友谊

据悉，普特拉姆燃煤电站分两期建设，2014年两期项目建设全部完成。时至今日，该电站被斯里兰卡广大民众所熟知。前不久，斯里兰卡小伙儿凯带着他的妻子莉莎专程来到电站附近“打卡”。

“我的妻子来自中国东北，普特拉姆燃煤电站又是由中国建造的，去电站‘打卡’很有意义。”在电站附近，凯和莉萨将印有普特拉姆燃煤电站图案的100卢比纸币和电站实景放在一起拍照留念，并发布在了社交媒体之上，收获了诸多网友的点赞。莉萨感慨：作为中国人，每当看到印有普特拉姆燃煤电站的纸币，她都有一种自豪感。

“普特拉姆燃煤电站是我们国家最大的电力生产基地。” 凯告诉记者，该电站为斯里兰卡提供了重要的电力保障，给社会发展带来了很大的帮助。

普特拉姆燃煤电站见证着中国和斯里兰卡两国的友谊，而凯和莉萨的跨国爱情同样珍藏着许多关于两国的美好记忆。“我去过中国许多城市，很喜欢吃湘菜，感觉中国是一个非常现代化的国家。”提及过往在中国的经历，凯开心地分享道。

凯还是一个拳击爱好者，他时常会带莉萨去看拳击比赛。暮色降临，拳击馆内，选手利落挥拳，观众的欢呼呐喊声此起彼伏；而场馆外，夜空静谧，马路上的车辆来来往往，万家灯火在夜色中逐渐被点亮。

“中国元素”闪现斯里兰卡街头

中国制造是普特拉姆燃煤电站最醒目的一个标签。除此之外，走在斯里兰卡城市的大街小巷，还会发现许多中国元素。

在首都科伦坡，有一条街巷被命名为“中国街”。在这里，许多来自中国的电子产品被售卖。在距离中国街不远的地方，被誉为“未来城市”的港口城雏形初现。2014年9月，斯里兰卡科伦坡港口城在中斯领导人见证下开工。港口城被誉为中国和斯里兰卡共建“一带一路”的合作典范。经过多年奋战，港口城已经从斯里兰卡人民的美好夙愿逐渐变为现实。

行走在斯里兰卡的街头，还会看到许多中国餐馆、中国品牌的影子。当地人见到中国面孔，会洋溢着灿烂的微笑，并热情地送上“你好”的问候。

点睛：“中国造”电站登上斯里兰卡纸币

卢比是斯里兰卡的流通货币，辅币单位为分。市面流通的有5000、1000、500、100等多种面额的纸币及硬币。2011年2月4日斯里兰卡“独立日”当天，斯里兰卡中央银行发行了以“发展、繁荣、斯里兰卡舞者”为主题的系列新版纸币，其中100卢比新钞上印有普特拉姆燃煤电站的设计鸟瞰图，斯里兰卡人民亲切地称之为“维多利亚之光”。

普特拉姆燃煤电站是斯里兰卡第一座且是唯一一座燃煤电站，也是斯里兰卡最大的电力生产基地。该电站由中国机械设备工程股份有限公司承建，分两期进行，涵盖3台30万机组及附属设施、5000吨煤码头及码头设施、2条220千伏输变电线路及其变电站，分别于2011年、2014年完工并投入运营。

该电站并网发电前，斯里兰卡只有燃油、风力和水力三种发电形式。风力和水力过于依赖自然条件，不稳定；燃油则价格波动，发电成本高昂。该电站的投运极大缓解了斯里兰卡电力供应紧张问题，还为当地创造了更多的就业岗位。

链接：中斯之间跨越山海的友谊

斯里兰卡是南亚次大陆以南印度洋上的岛国，接近赤道，终年如夏，风景秀丽，素有“印度洋上的明珠”之称。

中国与斯里兰卡友好交往有着悠久的历史，早在古代海上丝绸之路繁荣时期，中斯就有着密切的往来。1952年，中斯签订了《米胶贸易协定》，成为两国友好合作关系史上的佳话。1957年2月7日，中国与斯里兰卡正式建立外交关系。

中斯是守望互助的好朋友、共谋发展的好伙伴、相互支持的好兄弟。近年来，中斯双方以共建“一带一路”为契机，不断拓展各领域合作的广度和深度。从科伦坡港口城到汉班托塔港、从斯里兰卡南部高速到莲花电视塔……十年来，中斯共建“一带一路”结出一个个硕果，助力斯里兰卡经济发展和民生改善。

今年8月中旬，斯里兰卡总理迪内什·古纳瓦德纳率团到云南出席第7届南博会暨第27届昆交会时表示：“中国的发展为周边国家和地区带来发展机遇，也为动荡的世界注入了更多稳定性。‘一带一路’倡议提出十年来，促进了共建国家的繁荣和发展。”

出品人 | 杜传贵 林海利
总策划 | 孙爱群 林洁
总统筹 | 黄丽娜 蒋铮 侯恕望 骆苹
执行统筹 | 董柳 宋金峪 谭铮
文 | 侯梦菲 郭思琦
拍摄 | 蔡嘉鸿 郭思琦
剪辑 | 林心怡
音效 | 李峰烁
配音 | 郭思琦
片头 | 叶秋艳
海报 | 杜卉
翻译 | 白心怡
责编 | 王楠
校对 | 朱艾婷