First Lady Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa visit to Ukraine
27-30 July, 2010
First Lady of Sri Lanka Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa concluded a visit to Kiev, the capital of Ukraine from 27th to 30th July. During the visit Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa had the opportunity to visit Lyceum number 23, a special school for orphans in Kiev on 27th July. The “Lyceum 23“provides education and shelter for orphaned children. The First Lady was warmly received at the school by the head of the regional administration of Shevchenkovskiy district and the Director of the school.
The First Lady had the opportunity to talk with the school administration and the teachers on the administration and the curricula of the school. She was informed that the school provides education up to age 16 and has approximately 250-300 children studying at present. During the discussions, the First Lady expressed interest for exchange programs to provide opportunities for children of “Lyceum 23“to visit Sri Lanka while the school showed similar interest to provide opportunities for orphaned children from Sri Lanka to study at the institute. During the visit to Lyceum number 23 the First Lady also spoke with the children and distributed gifts among them.
The First Lady also visited 387th kindergarten school in Kiev. The school facilitates daycare services for approximately 290 children. She received a warm welcome at the school and had the opportunity talk with the teachers and administration. The First Lady showed keen interest to hear about the kindergarten school education in Ukraine and shared her experience on kindergarten schools in Sri Lanka. She also had the occasion to distribute gifts among the children and speak with the parents who were honored and delighted at the opportunity.
The highlight of Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa’s visit to Kiev was the 15th passing out ceremony of the National Defence University of Ukraine. It is worth mentioning that the National Defence University of Ukraine is world renowned and is the most prestigious defence school for officers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The First Lady had the rare privilege of participating as the Chief Guest at the passing out ceremony which was scheduled for 30th July.
At the National Defence University Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa was received by Hon. Borys Andresiuk, Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine and the Rector of the National Defence University. Sub Lieutenant Yoshitha Rajapaksa of the Sri Lankan Navy along with 35 officers of the Ukraine Armed Forces passed out at the ceremony. The Deputy Minister of Defence and other high ranking officials of the Armed Forces of Ukraine participated at the event. At the ceremony Sub Lieutenant Yoshitha Rajapaksa was awarded a sword by the Deputy Minister of Defence as a special passing out gift.
After the passing out ceremony, the First Lady visited the Museum of the National Defence University and special gifts were exchanged. She also took part in the Reception which followed the passing out ceremony. The 36 officers and their parents as well as the academic staff of the University were invited to the Reception. During the Reception, the Rector of the National Defence University expressed his pleasure that Sub Lieutenant Yoshitha Rajapaksa has chosen to study at the National Defence University of Ukraine and said that it is an honour to Ukraine.
H.E. Udayanga Weeratunga in proposing a Toast at the Reception mentioned that Sub Lieutenant Yoshitha Rajapaksa is the first officer of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces to have passed out at a Defence University in Ukraine. He also mentioned that Sub Lieutenant Yoshitha Rajapaksa is one of the youngest officers in Sri Lanka Armed Forces to have qualified in this manner went on to add that in the future more officers from the Sri Lanka Armed Forces will come to Ukraine for training and qualifications.
First Lady also had the occasion to visit several important places during her stay in Kiev. One remarkable site visited by Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa during her visit to Kiev is the Rodina Mat’ also known as the Motherland Monument of Ukraine built by Yevgeny Vuchetich. The Motherland Monument, built to honour the heroes and victims of World War II stands 62 meters tall upon the National Museum of History of the great Patriotic War. It is estimated that 9 – 12 million Ukrainians died during World War II.
During the visit Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa was accompanied by Ms. K.M. Samarasinghe, wife of Commander of Sri Lanka Navy Vice Admiral T.S.G. Samarasinghe.
H.E. Udayanga Weeratunga, Ambassador of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation concurrently accredited to Ukraine and Madam Uma Weeratunga also took part in the visit.
Embassy Cup 2010
Annual Cricket Tournament “Embassy Cup 2010″
10 July, 2010
Annual Cricket Tournament organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka for the third time was held on 10th of July 2010 at the play ground of Peoples Friendship University of Russia. This colorful event was ceremonially declared open by the H.E. Udayanga Weeratunga, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Russian Federation by lighting the traditional oil lamp and playing National anthem at 10.00 a.m.
They were 8 eight cricket teams of Sri Lankans from the different cities of the Russian Federation and their fans gathered to play and watch the matches and all of them were served with lunch provided be the Ambassador. The tournament was concluded around 7.30 pm and the certificates and prices were given to winners.
All players of the team were given certificated and gift parcels while champions were given Embassy Cup Trophy and Cash US$ 1,000.00, Runner’s Up US$ 500.00. Man of the Series, Best Bowler and Best Batsman were given US$ 200.00.
The ceremony was conducted around 8.30 pm with every ones good wishes for the excellent organizing.
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Meeting with Leonid Kuchma
Meeting with former Ukraine President Leonid Kuchma
3nd July 2010
Leonid Danylovych Kuchma (Ukrainian: Леонід Данилович Кучма, born 9 August 1938) was the second President of independent Ukraine from 19 July 1994 to 23 January 2005. Kuchma took office after winning the 1994 presidential election against his rival, incumbent Leonid Kravchuk. Kuchma won re-election for an additional five-year term in 1999. On his watch the Ukrainian economy continued to decline until 1999, whereas growth was recorded since 2000, bringing relative prosperity to some segments of urban residents. During his presidency, Ukrainian-Russian ties began to improve. After a successful career in the machine-building industry of the Soviet Union, Kuchma began his political career in 1990, when he was elected to the Verkhovna Rada (the Ukrainian parliament); he was re-elected in 1994. He served as Ukrainian Prime Minister between October 1992 and September 1993. Since July 2014, Kuchma has been the representative of Ukraine on the semi-official peace talks regarding the ongoing War in Donbass.
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Visit to Antonov Aeronautical
Visit to Antonov Aeronautical Scientific Complex
2nd July 2010
Visit to Antonov Aeronautical Scientific/Technical Complex
ANTONOV – unsurpassed capabilities in aircraft building
Advanced ideas and technologies are especially needed in our dynamic time. Namely such a product ANTONOV Company named after its founder, Oleg Antonov, offers for the world market.
Our enterprise built more than 22,000 units of more than one hundred types and modifications of passenger, transport and special-purpose aircraft. Cargo giants “Ruslan” and “Mriya”, being a visit card of the Company are the special pride of aviation designers. They set up 270 world records. As a total, ANTONOV aircraft set up more than 500 records.All airplanes of “ANTONOV”. All ANTONOV aircraft.
Our enterprise, existing about 70 years, is one of several enterprises having the whole cycle of creation of modern aircraft – from pre-project scientific researches to construction, tests, certification, serial production and after-sale maintenance.
Specific of the branch makes special demands on forming personnel and ANTONOV has a right to be proud with its main asset – a high professional staff. More than 13,500 people work at the enterprise today. Among them there are representatives of 198 professions and specialities, the full staff of designers and scientists working in 35 scientific directions including such rare one as aerodynamics and strengthen of aircraft, mechanics, hydraulics, heat engineering, avionics, material science. Real masters of their work are engaged at all stages of the development of aircraft.
The main subdivisions of ANTONOV Company are:
– experimental design bureau on projecting, perspective and experimental researches, certification, support of serial production and operation;
– experimental production facilities engaged in manufacturing of experimental aircraft;
– flight test and development base intended to carry out flight tests, development and certification of the aircraft as well as for training of flight and technical personnel;
– devisions of the leading specialists on the programmes.
Besides, ANTONOV Company includes aviation transport subdivision – ANTONOV AIRLINES, national aviation carrier, which delivers different cargoes worldwide and ANTONOV Serial Plant producing serially ANTONOV airplanes.
All this complex allows embodying designers’ ideas in real aircraft. Thus, competitive production, including designs enters a market. This gives to our partners a possibility to develop and modernize their own aviation production.
We appreciate our cooperation in many partners in 78 countries and are always glad to have new possibilities for cooperation development.
AN-225 Mriya / Super Heavy Transport – Ан-225 «Мрия»
This unique transport air lifter was designed and constructed during 1984-1988.
The aircraft has been created to perform the following missions:
transportation of the wide-range of cargo (large-sized, heavy, long-size) with total weight up to 250 t.;
intercontinental non-stop airlift of cargoes weighting 180−200 t;
intercontinental airlift of cargoes with weight up to 150 t;
transportation of a heavy large-size single pieces with weight up to 200 t on the external store.
Mriya had to become the first stage of the system of the aerial launch of a space ship, flying cosmodrome, from which a space shuttle with a tank having total mass of 170 t had to start to the orbit. Initially, the main task of the AN-225 was transportation of various parts of Energiya carrier-rocket and Buran space ship, which had been manufactured at the enterprises of central regions of the USSR, and final assembly should have been performed at Baikonour. Projected length of some of them reached 60 meters and diameter – 8 meters. Range of transportation was 1500-2500 km. Besides, depending to mission, performed on the orbit, Bouran could land on different airdromes. From there it was necessary to deliver it again to Baikonour, to the place of previous launch.
Mriya with Buran on its external store performed 14 flights with total duration of 28 hours and 27 minutes. They had been performed from the airfields located in various climatic zones of the USSR: in Gostomel, Akhtoubinsk, Baikonour, Borispol, Vnukovo, Yelizovo, Ramenskoye, Chkalovskaya, Khabarovsk. However, after collapse of the USSR, financing of Energiya-Bouran programme was terminated and the project stopped.
In 2000, modernization of the AN-225 was started. The aim was use of the airplane for transportation of commercial cargoes. The decision had been taken due to many applications sent to Antonov Airlines for transportation of cargoes heavier than the AN-124-100 Ruslan’s payload. Than Mriya passed certification tests and on May 23, 2001, Aviation Register of Interstate Aviation Committee (AR IAC) and Ukraviatrans issued type certificates to the AN-225. Since that till present, the airplane has been performing commercial transportations in the fleet of Antonov Airlines, transport subdivision of ANTONOV Company.
The aircraft has the spacious cargo compartment with length of 43,32 m, width of 6.4 m and height of 4.4 m, that allows carrying a variety of cargoes inside. For instance,
sixteen standard aeronautical containers of UAC−10 type;
50 cars;
single piece of cargoes up to 200 t (turbines, generators, dump trucks − Belaz, Kamatsu, Euclid, etc.).
The cargo compartment is pressurized that extends the aircraft transport capabilities. The airborne cargo handling equipment and also the design of the forward cargo door with a ramp ensure the quick and easy loading/unloading operations. The aircraft is capable to transport the unique cargoes outside the fuselage which dimensions do not allow to place them at the other land-base vehicles and aircraft. There is an appropriate load security system to attach these cargoes to the fuselage.
Mriya has set up 240 world records including transportation of the heaviest cargo with mass of 253 tons, the heaviest single peace of cargo with mass of 186,7 t as well as the longest cargo having length of 42,1 m. But the main thing is that Mriya serves people reliably. The airplane repeatedly participated in humanitarian operations. Thus in October, 2009 the AN-225 performed several flights on delivery generators to Samoa. They were necessary for renewal of work of Satala electric station damaged by tsunami. Only spacious cabin of the AN-225 could accommodate ten 12-tons generators at once. Each of them was as large as 6-meters container. Felise Kaisia, representative of the Centre on extraordinary situation of interior troops of Samoa, said: “Generators were fully destroyed by the waves, that is why electric station in the centre of Satala which supplies energy to all eastern coast had been stopped. By this reason namely delivery of new generators in the shortest terms was so necessary”.
In February 2010, Mriya transported large-size construction machinery (bulldozers, trucks, tractors, loaders) for liquidation of aftermath of earthquake on Haiti. Cargo weighing 108 tons was delivered from Tokyo (Japan) to Santo-Domingo (Dominican Republic) by order of government of Japan, and after it by ground – to Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. They chose Mriya taking into account necessity of urgent delivery. Its spacious cabin only could contain such a large cargo.
On March 25, 2011, the AN-225 Mriya delivered to Japan humanitarian cargoes, generators and technique with total mass of 140 t. The AN-225 landed in Narita airport (Tokyo). The flight had been performed by order of French government.
Researches on use of the AN-225 as the first stage of a space complex for commercial launches of the useful cargoes into space is in progress. One of the most advanced projects is the MAKS joint Russian/Ukrainian multipurpose aerospace system. It foresees delivery of the 8.5-10 tons of useful load in a piloted version and 18-19 tons in unmanned version to the orbit.
In 2009 works on the extension of the aircraft life time up to 25 years as well as on upgrading avionic and other equipment were performed.
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Reception at Intercontinental
Special reception hosted by Ambassador Udayanga Weeratunga
2nd July 2010
A Reception and Dinner were held at Hotel Intercontinental from 20.00-23.00 hrs, and H.E. the President was welcomed by Ambassador Weeratunga. Hon. Mykhailo Yezhel Minister of Defence of Ukraine was invited and present at the dinner. The Foreign Minister, Prof G.L. Peiris, addressed the invitees on the bilateral relations between the Sri Lanka and Ukraine. He mentioned that Sri Lanka defeated and eliminated the LTTE terrorism after 30 years. Foreign Minister also mentioned that despite its involvement in operations which eliminated terrorism, the government of H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa has carried out major infrastructure development projects in Sri Lanka. He invited the Ukaraine investors to Sri Lanka to take advantage of the abundant opportunities available in the existing peaceful climate of Sri Lanka.
Many companies, individuals were presented with awards for their contributions to the improvement of bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and the Ukaraine, the economy of Sri Lanka and to education as follows: Bilateral Relations – third Territorial Department of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. Education – Lugansk State Medical University. Technical Cooperation- Lviv State Aircraft Repair Plant, Konotov State Aircraft Repair Plant, UKRINMASH. Sri Lanka Tea Industry – RISTON TEAS, HYSON TEAS, JAFFERJEE BROTHERS, REGENCY TEAS, AKBAR TEAS, AHMAD TEA, BATIK TEA. Sri Lanka Tourism Industry – AIR ARABIA.
The companies which were awarded for their contribution to the Tourism and Tea industries in Sri Lanka are leaders in the respective industries. The Dinner was followed by a cultural performance by the group of Sri Lanka Air Force. The invitees were also presented with gifts by JAF, Riston tea. “Rajatha Dekma” photo exhibition was also held alongside the Reception.
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Sri lanka cultural show
Sri lanka cultural show at House of Ukraine
1st July 2010
President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived at the House of Ukraine at 18.30hrs as the Chief Guest of the “Sri Lankan Cultural Show” which was organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation. The Cultural Show took place at the Main Hall of the House of Ukraine. H.E. the President and the First Lady were received by Head of the Shevchenkovski District Kiev, Mr. Pillipishin Viktor and conducted to the Photo Exhibition “Rajatha Dekma” organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka and Mr. Sudath Silva. 150 photos were exhibited. A after the opening of the Photo Exhibition, H.E. the President was escorted to the Main Hall by Pillipishin. The Cultural Show commenced with the welcome address by Prof G.L. Peiris, Foreign Minister. H.E. Udayanga Weeratunga, Ambassador was launch “Leadership” book the biography of the President Mahinda Rajapaksa which is published by Udayanga Weeratunga in Russian language. The pleasure of presenting a copy to everyone of you gathered here in the hall. The speech of H.E. the President was simultaneously translated to Russian. The Cultural Show which followed showcased a variety of traditional Sri Lankan dances and performances by a group of Sri Lanka Air Force. A traditional Ukaraine dance was performed by the Ukaraine students. Approximately 600 participated at this event including around 50 Sri Lankan. Foreign Minister, Hon. Hon. (Prof) G.L. Peiris, Member of Parliament, Mr. Sajin Vaas Gunawardena, Member of the Southern Provincial Council, Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the President, Mr. Romesh Jayasinghe, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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University of Defence Ukraine
The National Defense University of Ukraine
1st July 2010
During the visit a Special Ceremony to receive President Mahinda Rajapaksa had been organized by the National Defence University of Ukraine with the assistance of the Ukraine Ministry of Defence on 01st of July. This event saw the participation of over 725 High level Military personnel of Ukraine including the Minister of Defence of Ukraine and Heads of Armed Forces of Ukraine. At the event, President Rajapaksa delivered a special address on the strategies of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces and the Humanitarian operation in eliminating the LTTE terrorism from Sri Lanka. The President also took the opportunity to thank the Ukraine Government for the cooperation extended to the Sri Lanka Armed Forces in safeguarding the innocent civilians from the atrocities of the LTTE terrorists. President Rajapaksa further said that the experience of Sri Lanka in defeating terrorism was an example to other countries faced with challenges posed by terrorism. He attributed the reasons for the victory to the great humanism displayed by the country’s security forces. President Rajapaksa also expressed his gratitude to the Ukrainian Government for the assistance extended to his country’s fight against terrorism.
In March 1992 the Conception of the new educational establishment was developed – the educational establishment of the Academy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Conception was presented to the Commission on Reforming of Military Education and Science of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. Its approval marked the beginning of the Academy’s creation and it has become an important step in the sphere of state and military development of the independent Ukraine.
The Academy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was created on the basis of the Military Anti-Air-Defense Academy of the Army according to the Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine # 490 dated from 19 August 1992 “On Reforming of the Military Education System”.
The Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers # 394 dated from 16 March 1999 transformed the Academy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine into the Defense Academy of Ukraine.
On the 14th of April 1999 the Defense Academy of Ukraine received the status of National and was renamed into National Defense Academy of Ukraine according to the Decree of the President of Ukraine #377/99.
According to the Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine #1086 dated from 17 December 2008 “On reorganization of the National Defense Academy of Ukraine” the National Defense Academy of Ukraine was transformed into the National Defense University of Ukraine.
According to the Decree of the President of Ukraine #№1217/2008 dated from 30 December 2008 “On National Defense University of Ukraine” the University preserved its National status and its name – National Defense University of Ukraine.
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Prime Minister and speaker’s meeting
Meeting with Prime Minister of Ukraine Hon. Mykola Azarov
1st July 2010
President Rajapaksa had the opportunity to meet Mykola Azarov, the Prime Minister of Ukraine during the visit on 01st of July. Ukraine has expressed interest to extend space technology to Sri Lanka, during that meeting. The Prime Minister stated that at present, Ukraine has a space technology exchange programme with Brazil and in the future Sri Lanka too will be involved. President Rajapaksa pointed out that Sri Lanka has a high level of knowledge in Information Technology and with the acquisition of space technology, it would be further enhanced. In addition, President Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Azarov discussed on business visits to both countries in the future and exchange of scholarship programmes which would further enhance relations. President Rajapaksa during his meeting with Prime Minister Azarov thanked the latter for his successful visit to Ukraine. While speaking of the beauty of Ukraine President Rajapaksa said that Kiev is a city within a garden. He expressed appreciation to the Ukraine President for providing an opportunity to visit a city of such beauty.