Have a better record before criticising Sri Lanka _ Russian envoy
Chaminda Perera
Sri Lanka is being criticised for Human Rights violations by those
who are not in the least perfect in that area themselves, new Russian
envoy in Sri Lanka Alexander A Karchava said.
“Sometimes people point at a speck in the others eye without knowing
a whole lot about the board in theirs,” he said.
In an exclusive interview with the Daily News, the envoy said
developed countries in the West can suggest ideas to improve the
situation in Sri Lanka.
He said pressurising Sri Lanka to implement what they presumed to be
right is a different thing -- it is a clear interference in Sri Lanka’s
internal affairs.Karchava said Sri Lanka has made tremendous progress in
the field of clearing mines in areas held by terrorists.
He said developed countries, especially in the West, can provide
their expertise in a friendly manner. “Forcing other countries to
implement what they presume to be right is an interference in the
internal affairs of such countries,” the envoy said. The Russian
ambassador said countries such as Cambodia have not fully de-mined
thought the war ended in the mid 70s.
“Sri Lanka managed to do a lot in three years and their achievement
in the field of resettlement is commendable,” he said.
Karchava said the two countries have not harnessed the full potential
of relations though this year marks the completion of 55 years since the
establishment of diplomatic relations.
“We know that potential is huge but we are not very much satisfied to
what extent we are using this potential,” he said.
The envoy said Russia can extend cooperation in the field of power
and energy.
He said his country has the most advanced technology in the
construction of nuclear of power in contrast to many other countries. He
said Russia is helping construct power plants in many countries
including Vietnam. “We signed an agreement to build a nuclear power
plant in Vietnam too,” he said. “We are the biggest importer of Sri
Lankan tea, but the figures of bilateral trade remained low.”
The envoy said bilateral trade volume was only US$ 500 million.
He said he noticed many development activities taking place in the
Colombo city.
“I noticed a lot of construction, refurbishment and infrastructure
development activities in the Colombo city,” he said.
Karchava was of the view that Sri Lanka has launched full throttle
development gradually with the end of war.
He said the two countries have closer ties in the field of education
and hundreds of Sri Lankans studied in universities in Russia in the
Soviet Union and the Russian Federation.
“I met over 200 Sri Lankans that graduated in Russia,” he said.
Karchava said Russia can do more to boost the tourism sector too.
“We noticed the increase of Russian students by 40 percent, and
21,000 tourists visited Sri Lanka in 2011,” he said.
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