COLOMBO — A mega Chinese enterprises job fair was held in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo on Friday, aimed at providing hundreds of jobs for the local community and strengthening the island's employment sector.

The event was organized for the first time by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training. Altogether 12 Chinese enterprises based in Sri Lanka participated in the mega fair to employ local work force within their companies.

Private Assistant to the Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training, Ruvi Senadheera said that this event was a great initiative by the Chinese companies, and that Sri Lankan youth would get the opportunity to work for international companies.

"There are so many of our youth that are graduating out of vocational training centers and universities who would love to get involved with international companies. I think today's job fair will definitely strengthen our employment sector," Senadheera said.

Some of the companies who participated in this year's fair included China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and China Machinery Engineering Corporation. A local based Chinese restaurant, Sunlight Garden Chinese Restaurant also participated in the fair.

Joint Managing Director and General Manager of HR Department from CHEC Sri Lanka, An Xin told Xinhua that presently there were 20 job vacancies at the CHEC Sri Lanka and they hoped to employ the ideal local staff for those positions.

An said that jobs were available for the local population throughout the year and anyone could apply through their HR department.

She explained that 80 percent of the CHEC staff, presently in Sri Lanka were locals and they hoped to employ more locals in the future.

55-year-old Saman Kumara, who had traveled to attend the event from the southern town of Galle said that he had learnt of the job fair through the local newspaper. He said he had many years of experience as a chef and could cook good Chinese food.

Kumara was present at the Fair to apply for a job at the Sunlight Garden Chinese Restaurant and he said his wish was now to work for a Chinese restaurant.

"I heard the Chinese companies look after their employees well so I hope to get an opportunity to work with them. If I get a job, then my family life will improve," Kumara said.

Samanthika Chandrakanthi who was also a job applicant said she would apply to many Chinese companies and hoped to get a position in one of them.

Chandrakanthi already has over five years experience working for a Chinese company in Hambantota but she now hopes to get a job in Colombo to stay with her family.

"I learnt of this job fair through the social media. For many years I have worked with a Chinese company in Hambantota but that job required me to stay away from my husband and children. I am used to working with Chinese colleagues and I have learnt a lot from them. They are very friendly and now this job fair has given me an opportunity to work for another Chinese company," she said.

Deputy Director General of the China, Sri Lanka Vocational Training Center, Chen Chuan said that this job fair would help bridge the gap between the local community and the Chinese companies based in Sri Lanka.