Sri Lankan well-known author Saman Kumara Athaudahetti, released his new book of travel insights into China on Saturday, which is the first publication on China to be written in the Sinhalese language.

The book titled "Wandering with Pleasure along the Silk Route", aims to help the Sri Lankan people know more about China.

Saman Kumara Athaudahetti addresses the crowd at the launching ceremony of his new book "Wandering with Pleasure along the Silk Route" the launch was held at the Beijing Foreign Studies University in Beijing, on Aug 18. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

In his new book, Athaudahetti shares his travel stories about many Chinese cities and famous tourist spots. He has been compiling the information for the book for the past ten years. The book also introduces Chinese history, culture, food, traditional festivals, religion as well as social development.

Athaudahetti is also a well-known songwriter and broadcaster and TV producer in Sri Lanka.

This year marks the 55th anniversary of the China-Sri Lanka diplomatic ties and the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Rubber-Rice Barter Agreement between China and Sri Lanka.

"The release of the book will be significant to China and Sri Lanka," said Shen Beili, director general of the Bureau of South and Southeast Asian Affairs in the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

Athaudahetti said at the launching ceremony that he wanted the book to be a present to commemorate the friendship of the two countries

"China and Sri Lanka have always kept a close relationship in religion, culture and trade and the friendship of the two counties has made a positive influence on Sri Lanka," Sri Lanka Minister of Education Bandula Gunawardana said.