Russian President assures support to Sri Lanka
Russia will continue to assist Sri Lanka for the restoration of peace
and reconstruction of the country, said the President of the Russian
Federation Dmitriy Medvedev, in a telephone conversation with President
Mahinda Rajapaksa, yesterday.
In discussing the current situation in Sri Lanka after the defeat of
the LTTE terrorism, President Rajapaksa thanked the Russian President
for the considerable assistance given to Sri Lanka in the fight to
eradicate terrorism from the country.
President Rajapaksa expressed his gratitude to President Medvedev for
the support that Russia had extended to Sri Lanka in the UN Security
Council, where attempts were made to obstruct the humanitarian operation
to free the Tamil civilian hostages from the LTTE, and also for the
support given to Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council.
President Medvedev said that Russia considered Sri Lanka as an old
friend and ally, and looked forward to continuing the warm relations
between the two countries.
He assured that Russia will give all assistance to Sri Lanka for the
restoration of peace, reconstruction, and for necessary and expeditious
relief to the large number of internally displaced persons.
President Rajapaksa also conveyed his thanks to the Russian Prime
Minister Vladmir Putin, who too had been very helpful to Sri Lanka in
the battle against terrorism, during his term as President.
He invited President Medvedev to visit Sri Lanka at his earliest
convenience, which will help further strengthen the friendship between
the two countries.
In the telephone conversation that was initiated by the Russian
President, it was agreed that the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov
will visit Sri Lanka in October.
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