Colombo, March 22 (NIA) – Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena, on Wednesday left for an official visit to Russia – the first visit by a Sri Lankan leader since 1974.
The President’s Office in a statement said Sirisena’s visit was following an invitation extended by the Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Many of Political and International relations experts pointed out that this official invitation by the President Putin as a powerful leader in the world, signifies an important milestone in the Sri Lankan government’s foreign relations.
During the visit, President Sirisena is scheduled to sign several bilateral agreements in the areas of economics, trade, tourism, science and technology sector, cultural and education cooperation,which brings many developmental benefits to Sri Lanka.
During the bilateral discussions with the Russian President, it is expected that both leaders will discuss in detail ways to further strengthen ties between the two countries.
The President is also scheduled to attend a ceremony organized to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and he will also attend a Sri Lanka-Russia Business Forum, which is organized to further promote trade and investment between the two countries.
“It is significant that a Sri Lankan Head of State receives an official invitation to visit Russia after four decades and this upcoming visit will be the first official visit to Russia by a Sri Lankan leader since 1974, when Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike visited Moscow,” the statement said.
“President Maithripala Sirisena’s visit to Russia will write a new chapter in the longstanding friendly relationships between the two countries.”
