Russia always backed Lanka: ambassador

Chaminda PERERA

Russia, while stressing that the Sri Lankan government had no option but to defeat LTTE terrorists militarily, yesterday said Sri Lankan leaders had tried their maximum to minimise casualties in their efforts to eradicate terrorism. Russian ambassador to Sri Lanka Vladimir Mikhaylov said. Russia supported

Sri Lanka's effort to eradicate terrorism from the beginning as it believed that protraction of a conflict under any pretext could only increase casualties.

The ambassador who is about to compete his term of office in Colombo said terrorist attacks were very common incidents when he assumed duties as the Russian envoy in Colombo four years back.

"When I came here in 2008, the war on terrorism was in full swing and terrorist attacks were very common incidents," he said.

Speaking at a reception to mark Russian Day at Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, Mikhaylov said he himself saw drone videos of thousands of innocent civilians being forcibly held by LTTE terrorists.

He said he saw armed LTTE terrorists shooting at civilians trying to escape from the custody of terrorists.

The Russian envoy said his country was ready to work with the Sri Lankan government to promote national reconciliation.

The ambassador said Russia is widely viewed in Sri Lanka as a friendly nation.

He said Russia and Sri Lanka has forged more closer ties in the fields of trade, aviation and culture.

"Efforts of both embassies brought an 80 percent increase in bilateral trade within the last three years and this trend continues in 2012," he said.

Mikhaylov said Russia opposes any form of pressure on selective countries under the guise of human rights and reiterated that safeguarding human rights, political economic and social freedoms within states should be fulfilled by the particular governments.

Senior Minister DEW Gunasekera said Russia always stood by Sri Lanka in times of need.

The minister thanked Russia for creating more educational opportunities for Sri Lankan students in Russia.

He said relations between the two nations have improved during the past few years.

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Rajitha Seneratne, Petroleum Resources Development Minister Susil Premajayantha and Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody were among the large number of invitees at the reception.