Media

Sri lanka cultural show at House of Ukraine
1st July 2010

President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived at the House of Ukraine at 18.30hrs as the Chief Guest of the “Sri Lankan Cultural Show” which was organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation. The Cultural Show took place at the Main Hall of the House of Ukraine. H.E. the President and the First Lady were received by Head of the Shevchenkovski District Kiev, Mr. Pillipishin Viktor and conducted to the Photo Exhibition “Rajatha Dekma” organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka and Mr. Sudath Silva. 150 photos were exhibited. A after the opening of the Photo Exhibition, H.E. the President was escorted to the Main Hall by Pillipishin. The Cultural Show commenced with the welcome address by Prof G.L. Peiris, Foreign Minister. H.E. Udayanga Weeratunga, Ambassador was launch “Leadership” book the biography of the President Mahinda Rajapaksa which is published by Udayanga Weeratunga in Russian language. The pleasure of presenting a copy to everyone of you gathered here in the hall. 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. A traditional Ukaraine dance was performed by the Ukaraine students. Approximately 600 participated at this event including around 50 Sri Lankan. Foreign Minister, Hon. Hon. (Prof) G.L. Peiris, 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.

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The National Defense University of Ukraine
1st July 2010

During the visit a Special Ceremony to receive President Mahinda Rajapaksa had been organized by the National Defence University of Ukraine with the assistance of the Ukraine Ministry of Defence on 01st of July. This event saw the participation of over 725 High level Military personnel of Ukraine including the Minister of Defence of Ukraine and Heads of Armed Forces of Ukraine. At the event, President Rajapaksa delivered a special address on the strategies of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces and the Humanitarian operation in eliminating the LTTE terrorism from Sri Lanka. The President also took the opportunity to thank the Ukraine Government for the cooperation extended to the Sri Lanka Armed Forces in safeguarding the innocent civilians from the atrocities of the LTTE terrorists. President Rajapaksa further said that the experience of Sri Lanka in defeating terrorism was an example to other countries faced with challenges posed by terrorism. He attributed the reasons for the victory to the great humanism displayed by the country’s security forces. President Rajapaksa also expressed his gratitude to the Ukrainian Government for the assistance extended to his country’s fight against terrorism.
In March 1992 the Conception of the new educational establishment was developed – the educational establishment of the Academy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Conception was presented to the Commission on Reforming of Military Education and Science of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. Its approval marked the beginning of the Academy’s creation and it has become an important step in the sphere of state and military development of the independent Ukraine.
The Academy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was created on the basis of the Military Anti-Air-Defense Academy of the Army according to the Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine # 490 dated from 19 August 1992 “On Reforming of the Military Education System”.
The Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers # 394 dated from 16 March 1999 transformed the Academy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine into the Defense Academy of Ukraine.
On the 14th of April 1999 the Defense Academy of Ukraine received the status of National and was renamed into National Defense Academy of Ukraine according to the Decree of the President of Ukraine #377/99.
According to the Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine #1086 dated from 17 December 2008 “On reorganization of the National Defense Academy of Ukraine” the National Defense Academy of Ukraine was transformed into the National Defense University of Ukraine.
According to the Decree of the President of Ukraine #№1217/2008 dated from 30 December 2008 “On National Defense University of Ukraine” the University preserved its National status and its name – National Defense University of Ukraine.

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Meeting with Prime Minister of Ukraine Hon. Mykola Azarov
1st July 2010

President Rajapaksa had the opportunity to meet Mykola Azarov, the Prime Minister of Ukraine during the visit on 01st of July. Ukraine has expressed interest to extend space technology to Sri Lanka, during that meeting. The Prime Minister stated that at present, Ukraine has a space technology exchange programme with Brazil and in the future Sri Lanka too will be involved. President Rajapaksa pointed out that Sri Lanka has a high level of knowledge in Information Technology and with the acquisition of space technology, it would be further enhanced. In addition, President Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Azarov discussed on business visits to both countries in the future and exchange of scholarship programmes which would further enhance relations. President Rajapaksa during his meeting with Prime Minister Azarov thanked the latter for his successful visit to Ukraine. While speaking of the beauty of Ukraine President Rajapaksa said that Kiev is a city within a garden. He expressed appreciation to the Ukraine President for providing an opportunity to visit a city of such beauty.

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Sri Lanka-Ukraine Business Forum at Chamber of Commerce
30th June, 2010

An important event of the visit of President Rajapaksa to Ukraine was the Sri Lanka Ukraine Business Forum on 30th of June. This event which was successfully held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ukraine with the participation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Yanukovich as chief guests was organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation. Sri Lanka was represented at this event by Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Tea Board, and Export Development Board of Sri Lanka while leading businessmen of Sri Lanka and representatives of leading Ukraine businesses participated. Sri Lanka Tea enjoys a big market in Ukraine.
President Rajapaksa, in addressing the audience at the Business Forum extended a special invitation to the Ukrainian Businessmen and industrialists to invest in Sri Lanka and spoke at length on the various facilities already available and that would be available for such investments. While speaking of the vision for the development of Sri Lanka’s future as well as strengthening Sri Lanka economically as a result of the realization of the expectation for developing a national economy capable of ensuring social justice and human development, President Rajapaksa explained that Sri Lanka’s ability to achieve the current 7% economic growth was also due to these economic policies of the government of Sri Lanka.
While mentioning that Sri Lanka was strategically positioned in a very important location on the world map, as in the case of Ukraine between Europe and the Russian Federation, President Rajapaksa said that there would be more opportunities for joint projects where both parties could work together in the development of economic and commercial relations between our countries.
President Rajapaksa invited the Ukraine business community to visit Sri Lanka in the near future as Sri Lanka is regarded at present to be among the best countries for investment in the world.

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Official Welcoming Ceremony at administration of President of Ukraine
30th June, 2010

The second day marked the highest point of the visit when President Mahinada Rajapaksa met with H.E. Viktor Yanukovych the President of the Republic of Ukraine. President Rajapaksa was escorted to the official residence of the President of the Republic of Ukraine with a Guarded Motorcade. Upon arrival in front of the palace, the Ukrainian 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 Ukraine defense forces in honor of the visiting head of the state.
The leading Ukrainian officials were introduced to the Sri Lankan President by the Ukraine President while President Rajapaksa introduced the Sri Lankan delegation to the Ukraine leader. The two leaders held one to one discussions at the official residence. Matters relating politics, economy and culture were keenly discussed. The President also briefed the HE Yanukovych on the developments in Sri Lanka including the massive development drive and the process of resettlement in the North and East. President Yanukovych reiterated his countries unconditional support towards Sri Lanka in every frontier.
During the bilateral talks agreement was reached especially on Ukraine’s support to develop the areas which were affected by the LTTE terrorism during the last few decades and for oil exploration in Sri Lanka. Further President Rajapaksa was successful in arriving at an agreement with President Viktor Yanukovich for obtaining Ukraine’s assistance in building Hydro Electric Power Stations in Sri Lanka.
Details of the new facilities and opportunities available for Sri Lankan students to study in Ukraine were provided by the Ukraine government and we were informed that for the first time Scholarships could be offered for Sri Lankan students to study at medical schools in Ukraine. During these discussions agreement was also reached to assist in repairing aviation and military equipments of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces and to provide training opportunities for military officials of Sri Lanka in Ukraine.
Several bilateral Agreements were signed between Sri Lanka and Ukraine during the visit. The Agreement on Cooperation in the field of Tourism. The Agreement in the Field of Military and Technical Cooperation and the Agreement on Mutual Protection of Classified Information.
Both presidents while appreciating the rapid increase in the percentage of Ukraine tourists’ arrival in Sri Lanka stressed the importance of promoting in our countries the cultural aspects of Ukraine and Sri Lanka during the years 2011/2012. Further, it was discussed for a special delegation to visit Sri Lanka in the near future to study new projects in the Tourism industry in Sri Lanka and to initiate flights between Kiev, the capital of Ukraine and Colombo. President Yanukovich gave immediate instructions to the Minister of Transport of Ukraine to take necessary steps towards this process. I believe that the Air flights between Sri Lanka and Ukraine will commence in the very near future in fulfillment of these discussions.
Ukraine expressed interest to provide troller boats and deep freezers that are necessary to increase the productivity of Sri Lanka’s fisheries industry while it was agreed between the parties to further develop the economic relations between Sri Lanka and Ukraine. As a result, an Agreement is expected to be signed between our countries on Maritime Merchant Shipping in the near future.

Brief History of Sri Lanka Ukraine relations
The diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Ukraine goes back to the establishment of formal relations between Sri Lanka and the former USSR in 1955. Sri Lanka has maintained diplomatic relations with Ukraine during the period of USSR (since Ukraine represented itself as an independent country in the multinational organizations). Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic was a founder member of UN and an elected member of UN Security Council, in 1948-1949 just after the Second World War. After the dissolution of the USSR, Sri Lanka entered into an agreement with Ukraine “Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Government of Ukraine” in 1993 leading to establishment of formal bilateral relations between the two countries. On the 12th of February 1993, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka recognized the Independence of Ukraine with the simultaneous establishment of the diplomatic relations. Bilateral relations between the two countries have been very cordial and an excellent relationship has been maintained between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and Ministry of External Affairs of Sri Lanka.

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Ceremony at the Park of Glory-Lit oil lamps at the monument
30th June, 2010

Morning 30th June the President of Sri Lanka visited the Park of Glory and laied a wreath on a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier & Holodomor Memorial in the city of Kiev. The Sri Lankan Leader was welcomed to the Park of Glory by the Mayor of the city of Kiev. The President honored the fallen heroes of the Republic of Ukraine by laying a wreath at the foot of the monument.
Park Slavi, or the Park of Glory, is located on the intersection of Sichnevogo Povstaniya Street, Suvorova Street and Dmitrievsky Slope. The park is dedicated to the memory of those heroes who died defending Kiev and Ukrainian lands.
In 1957 the obelisk of glory was put up in the park to commemorate the feat of arms of Kiev defenders. The 27 meters high granite obelisk was constructed by sculptors Miletskii, Baklanov and Novikov on the Grave of the Unknown Solder to mark the communal burial place of the war victims. The eternal flame on the grave symbolizes that the Slavic people will never forget heroism of the fallen solders. A wide alley leads to the obelisk and creates a solemn impression, which combines grief for the war victims and pride for the people’s heroism. On the sides of the alley there are 34 graves of those who died for their motherland. Among them is the commander of Kiev defense, colonel-general Mikhail Kirponos, national Yugoslavia hero, aviation major-general Andrey Vitruk, first-sergeant Nikiphor Sholudenko and others. Sholudenko was the first one to drive his tank to Kiev center to liberate the city in November, 1943. The heroes’ burial places, the communal Grave of Unknown Solder and the obelisk are the places where thousands of people annually come and bring flowers on the Victory Day, the ninth of May. Behind the obelisk of glory there is a sight area offering a splendid view on the left bank of the Dnepr River, Kievo-Pecherskaya lavra ensemble and old Kiev temples. In the park there are numerous picturesque alleys and paths for nice walking. The historians believe that the place where nowadays the green park Slavi is situated used to be the village Berestovo, where Kiev prince Vladimir, the one who baptized Rus, had a summer residence with 200 concubines.
Park Slavi is a nice place for a family rest: it offers quietness and calmness, pleasant corners, curved paths and historical monuments.

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Ukrainian girls welcomed the President and the First Lady
29th June, 2010

We all need to learn the main lesson of his difficult and arduous journey of service to the nation – the power of the people in its unity! Mahinda Rajapaksa returned to the people of his national pride, and now all Sri Lankans can say “We one People, one Nation!”
The visit of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Ukraine concluded from 29th June to 03rd July, 2010. That this visit was the first by a Sri Lankan Head of State while also being the second visit by a world leader to Ukraine since the inauguration of Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovich should easily explain the significance of the visit to both Sri Lanka and Ukraine. Keeping in line with the new foreign policy of Sri Lanka, the official delegation led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris held detailed bilateral talks with Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovich.
Welcomed by Hon. Kostyantyn Gryshchenko- Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Mr. Leonid Chernovetskyi -Mayor of Kiev. At the foot of the aircraft steps, 3 Ukrainian girls present Bread & salt to the President. Also 2 Ukrainian girls present flowers to the Madam Rajapaksa. H.E. the President walk on the Red carpet and later Head of the Presidential Secretariat will introduce Ukrainian officials and Ambassador Weeratunga introduce Sri Lanka Embassy officials.
The members of the Sri Lanka delegation consisted of the following : Minister of External Affairs of Sri Lanka, Hon. (Prof). G.L. Peiris, Hon. Sajin De Vass Gunawardena, Member of Parliament, Secretary to the President of Sri Lanka, Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, Additional Secretary to the President, Mr. Gamini Senerath, Secretary of External Affairs, Mr. Romesh Jayasinghe

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