A Reception and Dinner were held at Hotel Ritz Carlton
8th February 2010
A Reception and Dinner were held at Hotel Ritz Carlton from 19.00-22.00 hrs, and H.E. the President was welcomed by Ambassador Weeratunga. Hon. Alexey Borodavkin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs was invited and present at the dinner. The Foreign Minister, Hon. Rohitha Bogollagama addressed the invitees on the bilateral relations between the Sri Lanka and Russia. He mentioned that Sri Lanka defeated and eliminated the LTTE terrorism after 30 years. Foreign Minister also mentioned that despite its involvement in operations which eliminated terrorism, the government of H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa has carried out major infrastructure development projects in Sri Lanka. He invited the Russian investors to Sri Lanka to take advantage of the abundant opportunities available in the existing peaceful climate of Sri Lanka.
Many companies, individuals and members of the Sri Lanka Diaspora were presented with awards for their contributions to the improvement of bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and the Russian Federation, the economy of Sri Lanka and to education as follows: Sri Lanka Tourism Industry – CONNAISSANCE, MALDIVIANA, INTAER, VAND INTERNATIONAL TOUR, PANTEON, RUSSIAN EXPRESS. Sri Lanka Tea Industry – ORIMI TRADE, MAY TEA COMPANY, IMPERIAL TEAS, JAFFERJEE BROTHERS, REGENCY TEAS, RISTON TEAS, HVA FOODS. Bilateral Relations – 2nd Asia Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russia.
Education – Prof. Anatoli Nikolaivich Lizikov, Gomel State Medical University, Prof. Mikhail Nikolaivich Kalinkin, Tver State Medical University, Prof. Victor Anatolavich Lazarenko, Kursk State Medical University. Sri Lanka Diaspora – Mr. Saman Jayamaha, Mr. Udayanga Weeratunga, Mr. Janaka Hamangoda, Mr. Gamini Abeyawickrama, Mr. Hiran Karunaratne, Mr. Sisira Samarasena, Mr. Nisantha Perera, Dr. D. Wickramage, Mr. Ajith Malwatte.
The companies which were awarded for their contribution to the Tourism and Tea industries in Sri Lanka are leaders in the respective industries. Gomel State Medical University, Tver State Medical University and Kursk Medical University have the highest number of Sri Lankan students studying in Russia. The Embassy of Sri Lanka awarded the above named individuals of the Sri Lanka Diaspora for their contribution to the Moscow Friendship Library at the National Defence College in Sri Lanka. The Dinner was followed by a cultural performance by the group of Sri Lanka Air Force. The invitees were also presented with gifts by Riston tea. “Rajatha Dekma” photo exhibition was also held alongside the Reception.
