2010 – Page 4 – උදයාංග වීරතුංග

February 8, 2010in ප්‍රදර්ශන 0 Comments 0 Likes

Prodexpo 2010 ප්‍රදර්ශනය

Food & Beverage Exhibition “Prodexpo – 2010″
08 – 12 February, 2010

Prodexpo 2010 in Moscow, the largest international food & beverage exhibition in Russia and Eastern Europe, held in Moscow and Ceylon Tea Land (Pvt) Ltd. participated together with the Tea Promotion Unit (TPU) of the Embassy. Also Imperial Tea Exports (Pvt) Ltd, Jafferjee Borthers, Hysons Tea (Pvt) Ltd, MJF Group and Riston Tea Company participated this event.

All leading tea importers and distributors in Russia, regions of the Russian Federation, Azerbaijan, and Belarus were invited and wide publicity was given by the organizers to the fair. Promotional brochures in Russian and in English and many promotional tea sachets were distributed to visitors during the fair. An information desk providing information on product and other relevant information on the Sri Lankan tea industry was maintained at the stall. This desk was well made use of by interested visitors to the stall.
Since the Russian economy is recovering from the recession, there were many inquiries from the trade. A number of orders are presently under negotiation. The participation by the Sri Lanka Tea Board and the private sector companies was successful and the objectives of the participation were achieved.

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by Udayanga

February 7, 2010in රුසියාව 0 Comments 0 Likes

රතු චතුරශ්‍රය හා රුසියානු ක්‍රිම්ලිනය

Sightseeing was limited to the Kremlin & Red Square
7th February 2010

Moscow City excursion was arranged for H.E. the President, First Lady and members of the delegation on 7th February. Due to time constraints sightseeing was limited to the Kremlin & Red Square. The sightseeing took place between10.00 – 12.00 hrs. The following places were visited by H.E. the President and the First Lady: Armory Chamber, Diamond Chamber, Uspensky Cathedral, Lenin’s Mausoleum, Red Square.
A dinner was hosted by H.E. Udayanga Weeratunga, Ambassador of Sri Lanka and Madam Weeratunga at the Ambassador’s Residence from 20.00 – 22.00 hrs in honour of H.E. the President and the First Lady. H.E. the President and the First Lady were received and welcomed by Ambassador Udayanga Weeratunga on arrival. Approximately 150 persons including members of the Sri Lanka delegation, members of the Sri Lanka Diaspora and the staff of the Embassy were invited.

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by Udayanga

February 7, 2010in රුසියාව 0 Comments 0 Likes

ශ්‍රීලංකා රාත්‍රිය සංස්කෘතික ප්‍රසංගය

Cultural Show “Sri Lankan Night”
7th February 2010

H.E. the President arrived at the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia at 15.00 hrs as the Chief Guest of the “Sri Lankan Cultural Show” which was organized by the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia and the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation. The Cultural Show took place at the Main Hall of the Peoples’ Friendship University. H.E. the President and the First Lady were received by Rector Filippov and conducted to the Photo Exhibition “Rajatha Dekma” organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka and Mr. Sudath Silva. 150 photos were exhibited. A meeting took place between H.E. the President and Rector Filippov after the opening of the Photo Exhibition. At the meeting it was discussed to increase the opportunities for Sri Lankan students for full-term courses in the areas of medicine, engineering and information technologies using 50% scheme system. It was also discussed to introduce programmes for postgraduate overseas training in English medium for the medical specialists who have completed post graduate degree in Sri Lanka and to introduce inter-institutional cooperation “through the exchange programme of teaching staff” with the purpose of obtaining new technologies and innovative methods of teaching and preparing PhD Candidates and Doctorate dissertations. H.E. the President was escorted to the Main Hall by Rector Flippov. The Cultural Show commenced with the welcome address by Rector Filippov and H.E. the President was presented with a memento by the Rector. H.E. the President presented an award to the Peoples’ Friendship University. Awards were presented to the following members of the Academic staff of the Peoples’ Friendship University in recognition of their contribution to education: Ms. Liudmila P. Karpenko, Mr. Viktor E. Radzinsky, Mr. Sergey N. Krivoshapko, Mr. Igor L. Tolmachev, Ms. Zoya I. Esina, Mr. Yuri N. Moseykin. After the presentation of awards H.E. the President addressed the audience. 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 and the Sri Lankan students from a number of Russian universities. A traditional Russian dance was performed by the Russian students. Approximately 900 participated at this event including around 200 Sri Lankan students studying at Kursk, Tver and Gomel Universities in the Russian Federation. Foreign Minister, Hon. Rohitha Bogollagama, Minister of Education, Hon. Susil Premajayantha, Minister of International Trade, Hon. (Prof) G.L. Peiris, Minister of Mass Media and Information, Hon. Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, Minister of Power, Hon. Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Hon. Wimal Weerawansa, 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 and Ms. Indrani Sugathadasa, Secretary, Ministry of Plantation Industries participated.

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by Udayanga

February 6, 2010in රුසියාව 0 Comments 0 Likes

ගෞරව ආචාර්ය උපාධිය පිරිනමයි

50th Anniversary of Peoples’ Friendship University Celebrations held at Kremlin.
06th of February 2010

The visit was associated with the bestowal of the “Doctorate Honoris Causa” by the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia on President Mahinda Rajapaksa on 06th February. The award was made in recognition of “the contribution in world peace, cultural and educational relations and steadily developing bilateral ties between Sri Lanka and the Russian Federation”. It is significant that from the time the University started awarding the Honorary Doctorates only 7 world leaders have been awarded the prestigious award. In 2010, President Rajapaksa had the honor of being the single awarder of the Honorary Doctorate.
President Rajapaksa was bestowed the Honorary Doctorate by Prof Filippov, the Rector of the Peoples’ Friendship University at a ceremony which was part of the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of the University. The event was held at the State Kremlin Hall in Moscow with the participation of over 6000.
President and the First Lady were received on arrival by Prof. Filippov, Rector of the Peoples’ Friendship University. The Honorary Doctorate was bestowed by Rector Filippov on behalf of the university. President presented “the award of state medal” to the Peoples’ Friendship University and delivered the acceptance speech. A short Sri Lankan cultural event by the Sri Lanka Air Force followed.
H.E. the President, the First Lady and the VIP members of the Sri Lanka delegation were hosted to private dinner at “Restorant Pushkin” by Riston Tea Company after the ceremony. About 60 persons were invited.

President Rajapaksa’s speech at Doctorate acceptance Ceremony:
It is with a sense of humility that I accept the most prestigious award of the “Doctorate Honoris Causa” of the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia. I do so because the accomplishments mentioned in the citation stem not from my individual effort but from the efforts of the people of Sri Lanka.
The citation spells out that the conferment is due to our contribution to world peace. For over three decades the very existence of our nation and the peace and prosperity of our people were threatened by the menace of the LTTE, described as one of the deadliest of terrorist organizations.
When the terrorists adamantly rejected our sincere efforts for negotiation, we had to use military means to defeat them in a comprehensive manner. It was a humanitarian operation launched with absolute care for the civilian population held hostage by the terrorists for decades.
This evening, I stand before you having been pronounced only a few days ago, the 6th Executive President of my country, on the basis of an election held nationwide on a free and fair basis. The voters through graciously conferring on me a share of almost 58% of the total votes cast, made their desire for peace, democracy and progress known in a very clear and forthright manner, although the campaign launched by the opposition was a vicious one.
During the last 4 years, I have been able to take my country to hitherto unknown heights in development. It suffices to say that during the last 4 years our economy has become stronger despite global recession, and there has been unprecedented progress in every sector of the social and cultural life of the nation. Although we were concentrating on defeating terrorism, we did not forget the welfare of the people and infrastructure development.
Today, our business confidence levels are high. Our future needs in energy, human resources and banking are already planned for. Our poverty levels are dropping sharply. Our international recognition is presently that of a middle income emerging market nation. These conditions make Sri Lanka an obvious favorite of investors from all over the world.
Friends,
It has always been my earnest resolve throughout my political career of 40 years to respond to the trust placed in me by the people of Sri Lanka. I am accordingly supremely confident that having united our territory, I will be able to heal the wounds and unite the hearts of all our people. This is the aspiration of our people.
The Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia is dedicated to the noble ideal of “uniting people of different nationalities, races and religions through knowledge”. Patrice Lumumba, whose life inspired the founding of this university, made it a point to stress that “we retain the right to be friends with whoever we like in accordance with the spirit of political neutrality”. This is very much the spirit in which I propose to address myself to the massive challenges that confront me in the years ahead.
I wish to warmly congratulate the Peoples’ Friendship University on its Fiftieth Anniversary and to hail its magnificent and generous contribution to humanity by enabling over the years tens of thousands from the developing world to obtain within its halls, a first class University education.
In doing so, the University has demonstrated the generous commitment of Russia and her people. My own country Sri Lanka has had the benefit of several thousands of her citizens graduating from this University. To strike a personal note, my younger brother is also a graduate of this great hall of learning and I have had the good fortune to visit this university in the seventies.
Before I conclude, I wish to quote from Appamada Vagga in Dhammapada, the unprecedented Anthology of the Buddha’s word. The Enlightened One says of Heedfulness,
Uttanavatho sathimatho – suchikammassa nisammakarino
Sagngnatassa cha dhammajeevino – appamattassa yasobhivaddathi
It means, “Mindful and striving, pure, restrained and righteous, man advances to fame and prosperity.”
In conclusion, I wish to thank all of you, for being here to share our happiness and I wish you a bright future.

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by Udayanga

February 6, 2010in රුසියාව 0 Comments 0 Likes

මොස්කව් ගුවන් තොටුපළට පැමිණීම

President arrived at “Vunukova” Airport on 6th February 2010
6th February 2010

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa visited the Russian Federation for a three day working visit in February 2010. The visit was the first visit by President Rajapaksa after being re-elected for a second term by the people of Sri Lanka. The visit was the first visit to Russia by President as the Head of State and was also the first high level visit after 37 years. The last visit was in 1974 by Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike. Thus the visit is a historically significant event in the Sri Lanka-Russia bilateral relationship. H.E. Udayanga Weeratunga, Ambassador of Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation, Madam Weeratunga and the staff of the Embassy were at the Airport to receive H.E. the President. According to arrangements made in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation was expected to receive H.E. Mahinda Rajapkasa. However, contrary to the protocol arrangements which were finalized with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the only representative of the Russian government present at the Airport to receive H.E. the President was Mr. Shebarshin, Director of the Second Asia Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
Delegation: Hon. Rohitha Bogollagama, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon (Prof.) G L Peiris, Minister of Export Development & International Trade, Hon Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Education, Hon Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Minister of Enterprise Development & Investment Promotion, Hon. Mahindananda Aluhtgamage/ Minister of Power, Hon Wimal Weerawansa , Member of Parliament, Hon Sajin Vass Gunawardena, Member of Southern Provincial Council, Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to H.E. the President, Mr. Romesh Jayasinghe, Secretary, MFA.