Yearly Archives: 2013

Sri Lanka Business Forum Held in Minsk Attracts Wide Attention
26th August 2013

The Sri Lanka Business Forum organized by the Sri Lankan Embassy in the Russian Federation in collaboration with Export Development Board, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry was held in the city of Minsk on 26 August coinciding with the visit of H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa the President to Belarus.
The venue for this important event was the Main Library Hall in Minsk which housed more than 100 participants. Considered as an architectural masterpiece, the 23-storey library building is designed in the form of a diamond symbolizing the enormous value of knowledge that mankind has stored in books. The building is covered with glass panels and during the day all 24 sides sparkle like a real diamond. The library is also regarded as having the largest collection of Russian language books outside of Russia.
The business forum was ceremonially opened with speeches by Mr. Gamini Egodage, Chairman of the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka and Mr. Myatilikov Chairman of the Belarussian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Belarus Mr. Kudasov made a presentation on the theme “Economic and Export Potential of Belarus Republic”. Mr. Kudasov pointed out the inherent strengths of the Belarusian economy and industries and how these strengths could be utilized by the business communities of the two countries.
Mr. Gamini Egodage, chairman of the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka made remarks on the prospects of increasing the two way trade which at present is around US$ 15 million.
The lighting of the oil lamp was conducted with the arrival of H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa the President and the H.E. Myasnikovich the Prime Minister of Republic of Belarus.
The Prime Minister of the Belarus Hon. Myasnikovich stated his appreciation in being given the opportunity to participate in the event and pointed out the need for Belarus business community to engage more with the developing Asian nations.
During his keynote address President Rajapaksa explaind in detail about the rapid economic development program the country has embarked on and the numerous opportunities unveiled for the investors both domestic and foreign. He further explained about the 5 hubs concept of Sri Lanka’s development plan and expressed hope that the Belarusian investors will grab the existing investment avenues with both hands.
Mr. Bhashwara Gunarathne, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau made a presentation on the significant importance of the tourism sector in overall business environment of the country.
Top representatives from more than 35 Sri Lankan companies participated in the event while more than 60 Belarus officials representing the most respected businesses of the Belarus were also present.
Sri Lanka’s value of exports to the Belarus was US$ 5.56 million in 2012 which mainly included Tea and Pneumatic Tyres. Sri Lanka’s main import from Belarus was Potash while the total import value was US$ 9.36 million.

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Meeting with Parliament Speaker
27th August 2013

President Rajapaksa then departed for the parliament complex in the country known as the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus. The Sri Lankan leader was cordially received by Anatoly Rubinov, Chairman of the Council. The members of the Belarus parliament were also introduced to President Rajapaksa by the Chairman of the Council.
President Rajapaksa had discussions with the Chairman of the Council as well as with Honorable Vladimir Andreichenko, Chairman of the House of Representatives. The idea of forming a Parliamentary Friendship Group on Sri Lanka was discussed and the Sri Lankan President promised to send an invitation to the Belarus Parliament inviting such a parliamentary group to visit the country.
Later President Rajapaksa inspected the Minsk Automobile Plant. With a history dating back to the 1940s of the former Soviet Union the factory is renowned for its excellent engineering ship in making quality buses and other vehicles. Sri Lankan leader invited the officials of the automobile factory to look in to the opportunities of opening an assembly plant in Sri Lanka make using the strategic position of the country in the Asian region specially the South Asian nations.

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First Ever Sri Lanka Tourism Forum Held in Belarus
27th August 2013

Coinciding with the state visit of H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa the President of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Belarus, the Sri Lanka Embassy in the Russian Federation in collaboration with Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, National Tourism Agency of Belarus, major tour companies TEZ Tour (Minsk) and Rosting Belarus and Etihad Airways organized the Sri Lanka Tourism Forum in the scenic city of Minsk. The event which is a first of its kind to be held in Belarus was organized with the view of capturing a share of the country’s growing outbound tourism market.
Participating in the event were the key stakeholders of the Belarusian tourism industry including many of the leading tour agents and tour operators and top hoteliers from Sri Lanka.
Opening the event with his welcome speech Sri Lanka’s Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris explained about the vividness of the Sri Lankan culture and how it enriches the tourism appeal of the island.
Officials Representing the Ministry of Sports and Tourism of Belarus also made remarks regarding their willingness in partnering with Sri Lanka in enhancing two way tourism.
Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation who is concurrently accredited to the republic of Belarus H.E. Udayanga Weerathunga made a breathtaking presentation in fluent Russian on the theme ”Refreshingly Sri Lanka – Wonder Island” which captivated the hearts of the Belarus audience. The Ambassador explained in detail of the most popular tourist excursions as well as the new but emerging destinations in the country.
Several Sri Lankan hoteliers and tour operators also made introductions on their hotels and services. Subsequently a representative of Etihad Airlines which plays a leading role with respect to air connectivity between the two countries did a presentation on their positive experience with the islands rapidly expanding tourism market.
Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka from Russia and Eastern European countries have increased significantly during the past few years. As a direct result of the many tourist promotion programs conducted by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Russia, the number of CIS region tourists visiting the country this year is expected to surpass 70,000. A similar tourism promotion event was organized in 2010 in Kiew parallel to H.E the President’s visit to Ukraine. Statistics reveal that the tourist arrivals from Ukraine which were hovering around 400 in 2010 have risen up to 22,000 in 2012. This clearly indicates the success of the kind of programs organized and the appeal of East European tourists for Sri Lanka’s many attractions including its pristine beaches.
A familiarization tour for a team of 25 Belarus tour agents and tour operators to Sri Lanka was also finalized on the sidelines of the forum.

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President held discussions with Prof. Mikhail Myasnikovich, Prime Minister
26th August 2013

Rajapaksa then met and held discussions with H.E. Prof. Mikhail Myasnikovich, the Prime Minister of Belarus at the Council of Ministers in Minsk.
I thank you for the most cordial welcome the government of Belarus accorded to me and my delegation as well as for the generous hospitality extended. There is much potential to expand bilateral economic ties between our two countries. I look forward to close cooperation and continued engagement with you and in this context. With the end of an almost 30-year long terrorist conflict, Sri Lanka has made considerable progress in addressing the resultant challenges and recorded impressive economic development. Whilst my Government has focused on the development of infrastructure and improvement of the livelihoods, particularly of the conflict affected people, the stable and peaceful environment in all parts of the country has resulted in the flow of more foreign direct investment, increased trade and a significant growth in the tourism industry. In the last few years, we have sustained 7% annual growth rate and the economy of the former theatre of conflict, particularly the Northern Province grew last year by 22%.
Mikhail Myasnikovich, you and I will jointly chair the Business Forum and I appreciate your consent to co-chair, which I believe will be a fitting beginning to enhanced economic cooperation. I have brought with me a high level delegation from our business community and most of them have a very strong interest in looking for opportunities to enter into joint ventures and seeking prospects for export to your market.
Hon.Prime Minister, during my meeting with President Lukashenko, I have discussed a range of issues concerning the strengthening of our bilateral ties. We have discussed measures to further strengthen economic, educational and scientific cooperation. I am confident that you will support our endeavours to strengthen and further enhance our bilateral ties and encourage people to people contacts as a means of building long lasting friendship between our two countries. I believe with your past experience as Chairman of the State Economy and Planning Committee and President of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus you have a lot to offer in this regard.

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The occasion of the State Dinner hosted by President Alexander Lukashenko
26th August 2013

Response by HE Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on the occasion of the State Dinner hosted by HE Alexander Lukashenko, President of the Republic of Belarus
Your Excellency President Lukashenko
Ladies and Gentlemen
At the outset, I wish to express my deep appreciation to Your Excellency for the kind invitation for a state visit and the warm and cordial hospitality accorded to me and my delegation on this occasion. This is my first visit to your country and to the beautiful city of Minsk.
Sri Lanka and Belarus enjoy close and cordial cooperation and over the years, our relations have expanded based on mutual respect and shared values. My visit to your country is a manifestation of Sri Lanka’s desire to build upon the already existing close and cordial relations into a steadfast partnership. I have been touched by the expressions of goodwill and friendship extended by Your Excellency, the Government and people of Belarus since my arrival in Minsk.
Your Excellency,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We share many common platforms in a number of regional and international fora, where we have been supporting each other. Such interactions have paved the way to jointly face emerging challenges and also to exploit new opportunities.
Under the visionary leadership of Your Excellency, Belarus has achieved rapid economic growth and significant improvement in the quality of life of all your citizens. Today, your country has achieved a high level of development together with inter-ethnic and religious harmony. We in Sri Lanka have taken note of these transformations and the pace of development in Belarus.
Your Excellency,
It is evident that there is considerable potential for the expansion of economic relations between our two countries. It is for this reason that delegations of leading businessmen of my country, who are keenly interested in developing business partnerships with their Belarus counterparts, have accompanied me on this visit. The Business Forum will provide an opportunity to showcase to the entrepreneurs in Belarus, the enormous potential for trade, investment and tourism promotion between our two countries. Having emerged from a protracted terrorist conflict that negatively impacted on Sri Lanka’s economic growth, my country has now entered an era of rapid economic development, particularly with tourism becoming a growing sector. The prevalent stable environment for investment provided many opportunities for the business community of your country. I am confident that the introduction of our business communities to one another at this juncture, will undoubtedly pave the way to embark into new vistas of cooperation.
I also believe that there are areas for further expansion of our bilateral relations, as in the fields of education, culture and sports. I have no doubt that cooperation in these areas will further strengthen people to people contacts. Undoubtedly this visit has opened a new chapter in our bilateral relations. The seven Agreements and MOUs signed today, establish a legal framework which will further enhance the relations between our two countries.
Your Excellency,
The kind words, gracious hospitality and warm interactions will leave enduring and fond memories of this state visit for me and my delegation, which undoubtedly will translate into active cooperation between our Governments and enhance people to people contract.
It is my honour therefore to toast:
To the health, happiness and personal wellbeing of His Excellency Alexander Lukashenko, President of the Republic of Belarus.
To the continued progress and prosperity of the people of Belarus.
To the longstanding close friendship and further strengthened cooperation and partnership between Sri Lanka and Belarus. Thank you.

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Sri Lanka Belarus Relationship Reaches New Heights
26th August 2013

The second day marked the highest point of the visit when President Mahinada Rajapaksa met with H.E. Alexander Lukashenko the President of the Republic of Belarus. Presdent Rajapaksa was escorted to the official residence of the President of the Republic of Belarus with a Guarded Motorcade. Upon arrival in front of the palace, the Belarusian leader warmly welcomed President Rajapaksa opening the door of the car of the Sri Lankan leader. National songs of both the countries were sung after which the two leaders inspected the special military parade conducted by the Belarus defense forces in honor of the visiting head of the state.
The leading Belarusian officials were introduced to the Sri Lankan President by the Belarusian President while President Rajapaksa introduced the Sri Lankan delegation to the Belarusian leader. The two leaders held one to one discussions at the official residence of the Belarus president. Matters relating politics, economy and culture were keenly discussed. The Sri Lankan leader praised the people-centric leadership of President Lukashenko which has led to the unprecedented growth and prosperity of Belarus since independence. The President also briefed the Belarusian leader on the developments in Sri Lanka including the massive development drive and the process of resettlement in the North and East. President Lukashenko reiterated his countries unconditional support towards Sri Lanka in every frontier.

Thereafter extended discussions were held with leading officials of the Belarus and Sri Lanka. Various matters of importance were discussed during the meeting. Subsequent to the bilateral meeting the two countries signed several agreements in view of further enhancing the existing bilateral relations.
The following Agreements/MOU’s were signed at the occasion
– Agreement on Visa Exemption for Holders of Diplomatic and Official/Service Passports.
– Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation.
– Agreement on the Field of Military and Technical Cooperation.
– Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement.
– Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Justice of Belarus and the Ministry of Justice of Sri Lanka.
– Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters.
– Memorandum of Understanding on Air Services.
– Memorandum of Understanding between the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and the Republican Union of the Tourist Organizations.
– Cooperation Agreement between the Sri Lanka Export Development Board and the National Center for Marketing and Price Studies.
The signing ceremony was followed by a joint declaration where both the leaders made statements. The press conference was covered by all the leading news agencies in the Belarus as well as several media teams from Sri Lanka.

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HE the President at the Joint Press Conference in Belarus

Your Excellency President Lukashenko,
Members of the Press,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
At the outset let me state how delighted I am to be here in Belarus. This is my first visit to your beautiful country. I am also honoured to be the first Head of State of Sri Lanka to visit Belarus, at the kind invitation of His Excellency President Lukashenko. This year it is 13 years since Diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Belarus were established. Therefore it is indeed an auspicious time for me to be here on this official visit.
Relations between Sri Lanka and Belarus have grown steadily. Our bilateral trade in dollar terms has increased by over 50% in the last few years and prospects for enhanced trade relations are high. It is for this reason that I have brought a delegation of leading businessmen from my country to participate in the Business Forum in Minsk. It is extremely important for the business communities of our two countries to personally interact, in order to forge mutually acceptable business links.
President Lukashenko and I have discussed prospects for enhanced trade and foreign direct investment, and joint tourism promotion. Today we have signed 7 bilateral Agreements/MoUs on Exemption of Visa for Holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports, Trade and Economic Cooperation, Avoidance of Double Taxation, Agreement in the Field of Military and Technical Cooperation, MOU between Ministries of Justice, Treaty of on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters and Two Memorandums of Understanding were signed in April this year, between the Minsk Department of Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and also with the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which I believe will assist in business interaction.
I have invited a Business Delegation to the Business Forum which will be held in November 2013 in the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Earlier this morning I had extremely fruitful discussions with President Lukashenko and appreciate His Excellency’s pledge to fully support initiatives that will enhance cooperation between our two countries in a range of fields, which include tourism, agriculture, power and energy, education, social, culture and technology and political cooperation. We will shortly commence negotiations that will lead to the conclusion of Agreements on Cooperation in the fields of Agriculture, Education, Mass Media and Sports.
The leadership skills of His Excellency President Lukashenko have been amply demonstrated both nationally and internationally.
I am looking forward to my meeting with Prime Minister Myasnikovich and the Chairmen of both houses of the National Assembly and to tour many parts of your beautiful capital city, which is a symbol of your country’s outstanding achievements and progress under the dynamic and visionary leadership of President Lukashenko.
As an expression of our desire to share our cultural traditions with the people of Belarus, and enhance people to people contact, we have here in Minsk from Colombo, one of our famous cultural dance troupes, who performed at a special cultural show yesterday at the National Academic Grand Opera and Ballet Theatre. I am aware of your country’s own rich cultural heritage and look forward to welcoming very soon your artists in Colombo.
Ladies and Gentlemen, on behalf of my delegation, I express my appreciation for the cordial reception accorded to me and the warm hospitality of your Government and people. I have come to Minsk as a friend of Belarus and to convey to President Lukashenko the assurance of the strongest support for your country, both at bilateral and multilateral levels.
I have invited President Lukashenko to visit Sri Lanka at an early opportunity and we look forward to welcoming His Excellency to Colombo.
In conclusion let me thank the members of the media for demonstrating their interest in Sri Lanka’s relations with Belarus, by your presence here today.

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Cultural Show “Sri Lankan Night”
25th August 2013

In the evening of the first day of the state visit H.E. the president attended the cultural show themed “Sri Lankan Night” organized by the Sri Lankan Embassy in the Russian Federation in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourist Board at the National Opera Theater in the city of Minsk. The National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre of the Republic of Belarus is located in a scenic park in the Trinity Banlieu of the city of Minsk. Often compared to the Bolshoi theatre in Moscow this theatre is considered as a symbol of the Belarusian culture and art. The cultural event was opened by lighting the traditional oil lamp by H.E. the president and the Prime Minister of Belarus. More than 1200 Belarusian nationals attended the event. It was heartening to see the audience greeting the Sri Lankan leader rising from their seats when he entered the hall.
The famous Dance troupe of Mr. Chandana Wickramasinghe commenced the show with a traditional dance from Kandy, blessing the audience with prosperity. Thereafter the welcome speeches were conducted by the Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Russia H.E. Udayanga Weerathunga and Hon. Boris V. Svetlov, Minister of culture of the republic of Belarus.
Many more Sri Lankan traditional dances were staged representing many of the countries vivid cultural sects which also included Pandampaaliya, Pahatharata Natum, and Drum Orchestra amongst others. Belarusian traditional artists too delighted the audience with some eye-catching Belarusian cultural items.
The show was concluded with the “Dasa Desa Sri Lanka” dance which depicted the culture, beauty and glory of Sri Lanka.

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