Sri Lanka, July 2 -- Former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said that Sri Lanka's survival depends on China.

"Whether we like it or not, our survival depends on China. A third of the world's production is in China. China can afford to be patient for as long as it wants; we are the ones running out of time," Ranawaka said.

He made these remarks during the launch of his book Ekata Gatuma (The Struggle for Primacy), in Kandy on Tuesday (30).

Commenting on the US-Iran conflict, the former Minister added that the both United States and Iran are not ready for a large-scale war. "The United States absolutely cannot afford it," Ranawaka said.

"India is a four-trillion-dollar economy and a country with immense power, but it is poor. A massiv...