Bilateral discussion between Hon. P. Jayaratne and Hon. Igor Levitin
5th August 2011
Hon. Piyankara Jayaratne, Minister of Civil Aviation of Sri Lanka held bilateral discussions with Hon. Igar Levitin, Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation on 05th August 2011 during Hon. Minister’s visit to Moscow.
Welcoming Hon. Piyankara Jayaratne, Hon. Igar Levitin explained that Agreement on Air Services between Sri Lanka and the Russian Federation has already agreed by both parties for signature and their Ministry already taken approval to sign it. Also he mentioned that the Russian national carrier, Aeroflot Russian airline are ready to commence their flights to Colombo end of this year.
Hon Piyankara Jayaratne thanked Hon. Igar Levitin for giving the opportunity to meet during the short visit to Moscow and he briefed about the aviation industry in Sri Lanka after the defeat of terrorism in May 2009. He explained the 2nd phrase of development project of Bandaranayake International airport has been completed and new eco friendly International Airport is under construction at Mattala, Hambantota in accordance with ICAO standards and environmental friendly manner.
He also thanked the government of Russia for re- commencing the Aeroflot Airlines operation to Colombo twice a week from October 2011.
Hon. Minister also mentioned the commencement of Sri Lankan Airlines operations from the 17th of September 2011 and the Regional office of SriLankan Airlines is already functioning in Moscow.
During the meeting, the request for additional 3 frequencies per week on the route of Colombo –Moscow-Colombo was handed over to the Minister of Transport and he agreed to consider the Sri Lanka’s request.
Hon. Minister Jayaratne invited, the Minister of Transport as a guest of honor to the opening ceremony of the new international airport in Hambontota in 2012 on behalf of H.E. the President of Sri Lanka.
After a fruitful meeting Ministers exchanged gifts. The Ambassador presented the book “President Mahinda Rajapaksa- Leadership” to the Minister of Transport.
H.E. Udayanga Weeratunga, Ambassador of Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation, Mr. Dhammika Attyagalle, Adviser to the Minister of Civil Aviation ,Mr. Lal Kumara Gamage, Head of Chancery,Group Capt. Prashntha Payoe, Consular Defense- and Mrs. Chandima Abeyrathna, Commercial Secretary were present at the meeting.
