2013 – Page 6 – Udayanga Weeratunga

Wednesday February 13th, 2013in Receptions 0 Comments 1 Likes

Reception Prodexpo-2013

Reception to mark participation at PRODEXPO 2013
13th February 2013
His Excellency Udayanga Weeratunga hosted a reception on 13 February 2013 at the Chancery, to welcome Sri Lanka’s participants in the PRODEXPO 2013 trade exhibition. The event was attended by 65 distinguished guests both from the tea industry of Russia and Sri Lanka. Addressing the guests, H.E. the Ambassador highlighted the Ceylon tea industry’s 33% market share in Russia, over rivals India (23%), Kenya (12%) and China (10%).
In 2012, while Russia is the largest importer of Ceylon tea (15% of total exports), Empire Teas (Pvt) Ltd was the largest exporter with over 7 million kgs, closely followed by the Akbar Brothers group. However, out of total tea exports to the world, Akbar Brothers is the largest exporter from Sri Lanka with over 40 million kgs. The Ambassador encouraged the Sri Lankan exporters to increase the exports of value added teas. In 2012 imports of pre-packed tea were 21% of the Sri Lankan share. He highlighted that with Russia’s entry into the WTO, the currently tariff rate for pre-packed tea (20%) will be gradually reduced up to 12.5% within the 4 year period.
Moving on to the tourism sector in Sri Lanka, Ambassador highlighted that tourism infrastructure development has progressed well. International 5-star hotel chains such as Shangri-la and Marriot along with the Hilton, the Meridian and Taj Hotels are already being well established. Many smaller hotels are also prospering due to the support provided by the Government.

Speaking about Russia and CIS countries, H.E. the Ambassador explained that Tourist arrivals from Russia rose to 28,402 in 2012 which is a significant increase over 2011 and 2010. From Ukraine, some 22,348 tourists visited Sri Lanka in 2012. The national carrier SriLankan Airlines started operations on the Moscow-Colombo route in September 2011 and up to date, has carried 17,125 passengers. He encouraged travel to Sri Lanka as a destination offering the advantage of 49 unique attraction sites, 91 rare attractions, 7 world heritage sites and 6 of the world’s ancient monuments, as cited by the World Tourism Organization.

Following the sumptuous buffet dinner, H.E. the Ambassador invited his guests to partake of freshly brewed Ceylon Tea.

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by Udayanga

Saturday February 9th, 2013in Celebration 0 Comments 0 Likes

Ambassador Honored by KSMU

A son of Sri Lanka is recognized – What you receive is what you give
9th February 2013
Men are rich only as they give. He who gives great service gets great rewards. On 09 February 2013, a historically significant event for our motherland took place in Kursk, a South Western city in the Russian Federation.
Service by mouth and by action; by learning, educating and advocating through sheer devotion and dedication is always considered the truest type of transformational leadership.

One of such rare character, His Excellency Udayanga Weeratunga, Ambassador of Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation was awarded the Honorary Professorship by the Kursk State Medical University. The relentless service offered to the University in terms of assistance rendered to both the university academic staff and the students was highly commended and appreciated.
It was a rare occasion where only two elite personalities had been selected by the central administrative body of the University. In front of distinguished crowd consisted of Ambassadors, University Professors, political heads of diverse representation, the University took pride in bestowing professorship to the Chief Minister and His Excellency on the occasion of celebrating the 78th Anniversary. As sons and daughters of mother Lanka, it is an occasion to be proud of ourselves, this being the first ever such professorship that had been awarded to a Sri Lankan by this University.

He is a multi disciplined character with extraordinary potential to steer situations for the betterment of humanity. His endeavors to promote Russian education and training for Sri Lankan citizens have shown significant results upon the efforts. Being a graduate of Russia, his assiduous efforts ruptured the bureaucratic boundaries and extended the equal opportunities to the Sri Lankans. The Ambassador in his speech emphasized that the award is considered to be shared among all Sri Lankan students in the past, present and future.

Knowing the difficulties faced by the students with own experience, he navigated the path to find solutions through mediation which was initially rejected by Russian authorities. But the results shown by our students through close guidance by His Excellency Udayanga Weeratunga have now changed the trend to invite more students from Sri Lanka.

Blessings of all nation loving people will bestow more and more strengths and courage to this great son of Lanka to offer his unblemished service for the motherland for many years to come.

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Wednesday February 6th, 2013in Receptions 0 Comments 0 Likes

Independence Day Reception

65th Independence Day Reception
6th February 2013
On the Occasion of the 65th Independence Day, a reception was organized at the Residence of the Ambassador, His Excellency Udayanga Weeratunga on 5 February 2013. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Honorable Igor V. Morgulov graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. In addition to the Sri Lankan community living in the Russian Federation, Ambassadors, Members of the diplomatic corps, officials, Sri Lankan and Russian business community, representatives of Chambers and Sri Lankan students studying in Moscow, Tver and Kursk were also present at the occasion.
His Excellency the Ambassador, whilst delivering the welcome speech made a presentation that highlighted the economic and infrastructure development taking place in Sri Lanka under the leadership of His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa. He also emphasized that the strong bilateral relationship with the Russian Federation over a long period has benefited Sri Lanka in many ways. Further the gathering was enlightened on the progress made so far in different spheres, especially in tourism and trade, and room for further expansion was statistically explicated.
The Chief Guest, Mr. Igor V. Morgulov congratulated His Excellency the President and the people of Sri Lanka on the occasion of the commemoration of the 65th Independence Day. Further he appreciated the government initiatives taken to uplift the social and economic development in the country.

Relations between the Russian Federation and Sri Lanka, which commenced in 1957, have always been cordial and friendly. Over the years, ties relating to trade, air transport, defense and cultural cooperation have been strengthened through bilateral agreements. The two countries have also actively moved forward promoting joint interaction in the fields of defense cooperation, bilateral trade, and tourism.

All guests were served with traditional Sri Lankan cuisine and were served with pure Ceylon Tea.

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Monday February 4th, 2013in Celebration 0 Comments 0 Likes

65th Independence Day Celebration

65th Independence Day Celebration
04th February 2013

The Official ceremony of the 65th Independence Day of Sri Lanka took place at the Embassy premises on 4th February 2013. Commencing the event His Excellency Udayanga Weeratunga hoisted the National Flag of Sri Lanka and National Anthem was sung by Participants of the event. Two minutes silence was observed in honor of the war heroes who sacrificed their lives and limbs to protect and safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the motherland.
The religious ceremony commenced by offering flowers to the Samadhi Statue at the Embassy premises. Venerable Rakwane Gnanaseeha and Venerable Kadigamuwe Anuruddha theros were present at the religious ceremony.
Subsequent to the religious ceremony, His Excellency the Ambassador read out the Independence Day Message of His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa and was followed by the Independence Day Messages of Honourable Prime Minister and Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs by the Deputy Chief of Mission, Major General Nandana Udawatta and Group Captain Udeni Rajapaksa respectively.

Speaking on the occasion H.E. the Ambassador mentioned the significance of the event and highlighted the key aspects of the message of H.E. the President. He urged the Embassy to work together for the prosperity of Sri Lanka in line with the government policy set out in Mahinda Chinthana.

The celebration concluded with a special meal which had been organized by Mrs. Uma Weeratunga and the staff of the Embassy. The participants of the event enjoyed a traditional Sri Lankan meal of Milk Rice, Kokis, Weli Thalapa etc

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Tuesday January 15th, 2013in Receptions 0 Comments 0 Likes

Hon. Consul in Armenia

Mr. Sergis Tarverdiayan was appointed the Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka in Armenia
15th January 2013

Mr. Sergis Tarverdiayan was appointed the Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka in Armenia. His Excellency Udayanga Weeratunga handed over the Commission of Appointment. Mr. Tarverdiayan is the founder and the president of the Karolina Group comprised of companies involved in food production, beverage import and distribution, advertising and constructions,
On the 15 January 2013 Ambassador Weeratunga organized a reception at the chancery in honor of the newly appointed Honorary Consul. He also explained the duties and importance of the appointment in detail to Mr. Tarverdiayan. Whist expressing gratitude for hosting the reception Mr. Tarverdiayan appreciated the efforts put in by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Russia. He also expressed his commitment to develop bilateral relations between two countries. The reception was graced by His Excellency Oleg Yesayan, the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the Russian Federation. Ambassador Yesayan said that appointing an Honorary Consul is a big step towards to strengthen cordial relationship between Armenia and Sri Lanka, and praised the decision made by the Government of Sri Lanka to appoint a successful and reputed citizen of Armenia for the post of Honorary Consul. Members from the Diplomatic Corps, members of both staffs were present at the occasion.