A Memorable Meeting with the Descendant of King Parakramabahu VI

I was warmly and graciously welcomed by Princess Xu Shi Yin'e, her family members, and close friends. The hospitality and respect extended to me by the Princess made this a truly memorable and honorable occasion.

To facilitate our discussions, they had thoughtfully arranged for Professor John Qiu Wang and an English interpreter to be present. This made our exchange of ideas smooth, enjoyable, and highly productive.

The Princess and her family showed a deep interest in my book, "Mahawansa Pradeepikawa," particularly its royal genealogical records. They asked many questions about my research, with special attention given to the genealogy of King Parakramabahu VI, the last monarch to unify the Kingdom of Kotte. Their enthusiasm for this part of Sri Lankan history was truly remarkable.

The Princess also invited me to visit the Sri Lanka–China Cultural Centre, which she helps maintain in the region. The centre is dedicated to preserving and promoting the historical and cultural ties between Sri Lanka and China. During the visit, I had the opportunity to learn about many historical sites, documents, and important information related to King Parakramabahu VI and his descendants.

Later that day, they took me on a tour of several historic locations in the city and generously hosted a special dinner in my honour.

During our discussions, we also explored the possibility of translating "Mahawansa Pradeepikawa" into the Chinese language. I, in turn, promised to extend an official invitation to them to attend the launch ceremony of "Mahawansa Pradeepikawa," which is scheduled to take place in 2026.

This meeting was one of the most significant and memorable moments of my life. It was a rare privilege to meet descendants connected to the royal lineage that I have spent years researching, making this occasion deeply meaningful to me.

As a lasting reminder of this historic meeting, the Princess presented me with a beautiful commemorative gift. In return, I presented her with a specially prepared commemorative plaque featuring the genealogy of King Parakramabahu VI, symbolizing the shared historical bond between our two nations.