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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.
