Ambassador presents his credentials to the Foreign Minister of the Uzbekistan
31 August, 2009
The Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russian Federation accredited to the Republic of Uzbekistan, Udayanga Weeratunga presented his letter of credentials to Foreign Minister Norov Vladimir Imamovich of Uzbekistan on 30th August 2009 in Tashkent. After the ceremony, Minister Imamovich congratulated the Sri Lankan Government on the defeat of terrorism and the reunification of the motherland.
He further stated that the Republic of Uzbekistan will strengthen their relationship with Sri Lanka for the benefit of both countries in terms of stability, security and development.
Participation at the Aviation Salon MAKS 2009 in Zhukovsky
19 August, 2009
This was one of the leading Aviation Exhibition in the world aviation calendar MAKS. It had large fleet of aircraft, helicopters and UAV models for display including world leading cargo transporter AN 124 (RUSLAN). Sri Lanka Ambassador Udayanga Weeratunga and Defense Attaché Air Commodore Upali Chandratillake were among invitees as special guest at the exhibition and had opportunity to inspect the latest model of the ANTONOV regional Jetliner AN 148-100 series aircraft with its most experienced test pilots.
This is special occasion as this Aircraft meets most of the conditions applicable to Sri Lankan requirements. Picture shows the Ambassador in cockpit having conversation with its test pilot.AN 148-100 represents the new generation aircraft produced in 2007 by the world famous “ANTONOV” Aircraft Manufacturers in Ukraine & in Russia. Illyushin Finance Company has proudly introduced this latest model of regional jetliner to the Government of Sri Lanka for its consideration. Sri Lanka Air Force has been operating AN 32B aircraft fleet since 1996 with its optimum capability and this AN 148-100 model seems to be another suitable aircraft for the Sri Lankan purpose.
Sri Lanka Air Force student pilots & Engineering trainees attached to Russian Federation Academies had lifetime opportunity to witness sophisticated maneuvers of world leading fighter aircraft formation displays.
The Aviation Salon has by right earned a great reputation among both Russian and foreign specialists. It became top-ranked ground for business intercourse and for concluding mutually beneficial contracts. Each time thousands of people gather in Zhukovskiy to see unique aircrafts and rocketry, take a view of unequalled skill of aerobatic teams and feel the great atmosphere of the aviation festival. Each time MAKS becomes more and more prestigious among world experts and specialists and practically all world leaders in aerospace industry take part in the event.
Due to participation of leading international and Russian aviation manufacturers that present their recent developments and engineering achievements, the Aviation salon is ranked high by specialists and can by right be named among world’s most famous aviation. Business communication among scientists, engineers, technologists, managers and other specialists during MAKS 2009 will encourage a more efficient dialog between the government and business structures in the current economic climate. The organizers and sponsors of the event take great efforts to make exhibition conditions for participants more comfortable and also to provide best service for common visitors.
MAKS is held under the auspices of the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, being traditionally opened by the President of the Russian Federation.
Sri Lanka Presentation with tour operator ”GarndTourVoyage”
11 August, 2009
The Ambassador of Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation, H.E. Udayanga Weeratunga, took part in a Sri Lanka presentation on 11th August, 2009, which was hold by Grand Tour Voyage Travel Company in Radisson SAS Hotel in Moscow. That event was organized for heads of Mostaravel agencies network. H.E. Udayanga Weeratunga narrated about Sri Lanka, main sights, itineraries, souvenirs, and visa formalities. The Ambassador shared news that Tourism Department of the Embassy finalized an audio guide about Sri Lanka on the Russian Language.
This CD will be distributed free of charge among Russian and Sri Lankan travel companies for them to use further on Sri Lanka. Audio guide includes excursion around Colombo, Anuradhapura, Mihintale, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandy, Pinnawala, Nuwara Eliya, Yala, Galle as well as stories about gems, species, ayurveda, masks and national dance. It was mentioned that Russian TV channel will be broadcasted in Sri Lanka Hotels more active soon. For the moment, RTR-planet and 1 ORT are the only Russian speaking channels in Sri Lanka. All hotels are getting and improving a menu card in Russian, which is very helpful for all Russian tourists in Sri Lanka.
There were announced the promising tourism areas in Sri Lanka. Hotels of the Eastern Coast are opened for tourists but they can’t get 5* service there, although beaches are worthy of 7* marks. Russian tourist couldn’t stay indifferent to blue transparent Ocean and white send of Trincomalee, Nilaveli, Baticaloa, and Arugam Bay. Kalpitiya project will provide 4000 new rooms for the country within next 5 years. That is round 1/3 part of the present rooms quantity on the Island. At the end of the speech, the Ambassador Weeratunga mentioned that Sri Lanka is the best place for investments and government is doing its best to protect foreign property.
Presentation of “Rama’s Bridge” & Historical guide book on Sri Lanka
10 August, 2009
In the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Moscow held an event that showcased a film titled ‘Rama’s Bridge’. At the same event the Sri Lankan Embassy presented a Historical guide book on Sri Lanka. The book was published in the Russian language and is a result of the team work of the “Veche” publishing house, the Astravel travel company, the Travel Department of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Russia and the personal involvement of H.E. the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Russia Udayanga Weeratunga.
Speech of H.E. Udayanga Weeratunga 10.08.09
The event was attended by mass media representatives from Russian Federal TV channel such as “Russia”, TVC, RBK as well as print media journalists from Interfax, ITAR TASS, Izvestiya, Russian Gazette, Russian Information Agency and some internet information agencies. Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Russia, and Ambassadors of 12 friendship countries and representatives of the film industry in Russian Federation also participated.
The film Rama’s Bridge portrayed the journey of a fearless warrior who walks across the sea over a bridge from India to Sri Lanka. This bridge is 38km and is only seen in ancient maps and heard of in legends. The film shows the dangers faced by him and what waits for him on the other side.
The guideline of the historical guide book about Sri Lanka was created by the Embassy’s travel department. This book is the first Russian edition with a full and detailed description of Sri Lanka, its culture, traditions, historical heritage, nature, travel opportunities and legends. “The main objective for the book was not to simply write a book on Sri Lanka, but to help the Russian people understand my country, culture and traditions better’, said Ambassador Weeratunga. The photos used for the book were from the personal achieves of the Ambassador and the staff of the Sri Lankan embassy.
The author of this project and the book were nominated for an annual Russian Senkevich Prize in the field of tourism in year 2009. At the event, Mr. Sergey Dmitriev, editor-in-chief of “Veche” publishing house, spoke of the warm and tangible support extended by the Sri Lankan Embassy. The Historical guide book about Sri Lanka in the Russian Language has been on sale at all bookshops all over Russia.
