On January 2, 2005, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China, State Councilor and Defense Minister of China General Cao Gangchuan sent a letter to Sri Lanka President and Defense Minister Kumaratunga, to extend deep condolences to the Sri Lankan victims of the tsunami disaster and express sincere sympathy to the families of the deceased on behalf of the Ministry of Defense and the People's Liberation Army of China.

The military of China and Sri Lanka enjoy friendly relations. To show the friendship borne by the military of China towards the military of Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Defense of China decided to donate 150,000 US dollars of assistance in cash order to its counterpart in Sri Lanka for the relief and rehabilitation efforts in the aftermath of the disaster. General Cao indicated that he believes the people and military of Sri Lanka will definitely overcome the disaster and the difficulties and rebuild their homes.