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
