When I joined CRI Sinhala Service, Mr. Wang advised me to start a Sinhala pronunciation training program. I noticed that Sheng Li was a student who showed more enthusiasm in this. This made me look into her history. She has studied Sinhala as a foreign language at the Kelaniya University and has worked as a Sinhala language lecturer in Beijing Foreign Studies University in China. Most of the Chinese journalists in CRI Sinhala service are her students. But she was humble enough to study and get trained again with people who were once her students.

After some time Sheng Li became the head of CRI Sinhala service. Mr. Wang got transferred to another division with a promotion. The late Sri Lankan President S.W.R.D.Bandaranaike once said “If people have created a place for me, I am there as their servant not the leader.” I don’t know whether Sheng Li has heard this saying, but the way she works implies her liberal and sympathetic manner. She is not afraid of change but knows how to adapt to new situations. This is one of the leadership qualities I see in her. Sheng Li is an excellent leader and I often wonder how she managed to acquire all these qualities.

There is another story in her book, “Sith Pahana”, which tells about a sage. Once he asks his students about the end of the night. “At what time the night gets to its end?” he asked. His followers give him many answers but none of the answers satisfy him. “The night comes to an end when you feel the man and the woman you see is your own brother and sister,” he says to his followers. “Until then all your hearts are in the dark.” Similarly, many stories in Sith Pahana speak about trust and devotion within the human race. After working in China Radio International (CRI) for years, I can say that this is similar to Sheng Li’s personal vision.

Sheng Li’s book-“Sith Pahana” will soon be available for the Sinhala readers. The National Youth Council of Sri Lanka organized the launch of “Sith Pahana” with the guidance of the Sri Lankan Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma. With the well wishes of the head of Fast Publishing (Private) Limited, Mr. Prem Dissanayaka, “Sith Pahana”will be published as a“FAST”Publication.

Chandana Thilakarathna Consultant, Sinhala Service China Radio International Beijing