Russian to further enhance cooperation with Sri Lanka - Putin

“We have good relations with Sri Lanka. We are determined to further expand mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian fields. Our countries interact constructively in the international arena, in particular, as part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, where Sri Lanka has the status of a dialogue partner.’, said Putin.

The President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin highlighted these comments in his address to the diplomats in the Kremlin.

20 Ambassadors from foreign countries including Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Russian Federation Prof. M.D. Lamawansa presented their letters of credence to Vladimir Putin.

Keeping with the tradition, the ceremony took place in the Alexander Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace.

However, this year, in the light of the coronavirus pandemic the protocol ceremony for starting a diplomatic career in the host country was changed - the Ambassadors did not approach the President to personally hand over their credentials. –in order to ensure the health safety of all the participants.

In his speech, Vladimir Putin assessed the main trends in the international arena and emphasized that in addition to the fact that ‘the pandemic has aggravated problems in the global economy, in trade, the social sphere and environmental protection” the previous challenges and threats like international terrorism, drug trafficking and organized crime have not gone anywhere.

“The entire system of international security, strategic stability and arms control is under very serious pressure”.

In this regard, the Russian President highlighted that in the face of such an unprecedented challenge, the international community has no alternative but to join efforts.

President Vladimir Putin also spoke about the development of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine and his readiness to share the experience accumulated with all interested states and international structures.

The Russian leader assured the Ambassadors that all their constructive undertakings and initiatives would always meet the most favorable response, support, and assistance from government bodies, as well as from the business community and the general public in the host country.