President participation at the 15th St. Petersburg Economic Forum
17th June 2011
President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited St. Petersburg from 16‐18 June 2011 regarding his participation at the 15th St. Petersburg Economic Forum at the invitation of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. During the visit President Rajapaksa met with Russian President and held bilateral discussions.
Speaking at the meeting President Medvedev has assured President Mahinda Rajapaksa that Russia will stand by Sri Lanka in its all efforts. Also the Russian president accentuate that both Russia and Sri Lanka have equally suffered from terrorism and that Russia is well aware of the pain and suffering caused by terrorism.
President Dmitry Medvedev, whose first bilateral meeting after the plenary sessions of the Forum was with President Rajapaksa has emphasized Russia’s stance to support Sri Lanka in all its efforts to rebuild the country after the end of conflict.
President Rajapaksa has expressed his appreciation to Russia for the assistance given for ushering sustainable peace in Sri Lanka and giving its fullest cooperation to develop the country. The two leaders have also discussed ways and means of improving trade and investment between the two countries.
Sri Lanka is enjoying rapid development in all spheres after the end of the 3 decade long LTTE terrorism. President Rajapaksa’s visit was highly fruitful in terms of strengthening bilateral ties and seeking new opportunities in the trade and tourism sectors.
On the development of investment opportunities, President Rajapaksa has invited Russian investors to take advantage of the good potential that prevails in Sri Lanka as a destination for investment in the region.
President Rajapaksa has also extended an invitation to the Russian President to visit Sri Lanka. President Medvedev has said he looks forward to visit Sri Lanka with his Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov who is fluent in Sinhala.
Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov, Minister of External Affairs Prof. G. L. Peiris, Senior Minister for Internal Monetary Cooperation Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Ambassador of Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation Udayanga Weeratunga were also present during the discussion.
