After establishment of diplomatic relations between Ceylon and Soviet Union in 1957, Prof. Gunapala Malalasekara was appointed as first Sri Lankan Ambassador to Soviet Union. He served till 1961. During his period he had very close relationship with Soviet Premier Hon. Nikitha Krushev. Prof. Udayanga Weeratunga was appointed as a successor of 16th Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia Mr. Neville Ranasuriya in 2006. He served till 2015 and accredited concurrently to Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Moldova.
01.
Between Sri Lanka and Soviet Union
Diplomatic relations were established on February 19, 1957
History of Bilateral Relationship
Diplomatic relations between the Soviet Union and Sri Lanka were established on February 19, 1957. But the history of Russian – Sri Lankan relations have started much earlier. Russian Consulate was established in Galle in 1892. And the first Russians appeared in Ceylon in mid XIX century. One of them, Count Saltykov, visited this island twice – in 1841 and in 1845-46. This well-known traveller and artist had summoned his observations in a book published in Russia and in France and illustrated with his unique pencil-paintings. Professor Minaev, world-known Russian expert on Buddhism, “discovered” Ceylon for Russian oriental studies. His books are still unique because of their widest range of historical and ethnographical data about Sri Lanka.
Diplomatic relations between Ceylon, as Sri Lanka was known then, and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), the predecessor state of the Russian Federation. Sri Lanka recognized the Russian Federation as the successor state of the former USSR on 28 December 1991. Bilateral relations between the two countries which are founded on strong and ancient bonds of friendship have deepened and expanded during the last 61 years. The establishment of diplomatic relations has boosted the speedy development of mutually beneficial bilateral contacts in various spheres.
The solid base for the mutual business interests was laid down in the 60s and 70s of XX century by the package of bilateral agreements worked out and signed by our countries in spheres of trade and economy, science technology and culture. Simultaneously Moscow and Colombo reached the agreement on opening of air and sea travel routes and on training of national Lankan specialists in the USSR. In those years the Soviet Union assisted Sri Lanka in constructing of the metallurgical plant in Oruwella, the tyre-producing enterprise in Kelaniya, milling and house constructing plants. Since mid 70s Soviet experts began drilling for crude oil in the island. At the same time large shipments of refined oil and oil products were delivered to Sri Lanka. During the years of our bilateral relations thousands of Lankan students have graduated from universities of the Soviet Union and then Russia in medicine, engineering, education, etc. In 1959 the Friendship Society with Sri Lanka was established in Moscow. The powerful impetus to the further expansion of mutual relations had been given by the visits to the USSR by the then Prime Minister of Sri Lanka H.E. Mrs. S. Bandaranaike in 1963 and in 1974.
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.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa undertook a three-day visit to Russia from 6th to 8th February 2010. It is a matter of significance that the first visit abroad by the President following his decisive victory at the recently concluded presidential election was to the friendly nation of Russia. The current visit by the President is the first high-level visit to Russia after 36 years, the last being by Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike in 1974.
02.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa
undertook a three-day visit to Russia on 2010
It is a matter of significance that the first visit abroad by the President following his decisive victory at the recently concluded presidential election was to the friendly nation of Russia. The current visit by the President is the first high-level visit to Russia after 36 years, the last being by Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike in 1974.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka Mr. Lakshman Kasirgamar visited Moscow in June 2004. During his talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Mr. Sergey V. Lavrov the Sides exchanged their views on the key issues of world and regional policy, as well as bilateral relations. The practice of meetings at high and the highest levels during working sessions of the UN General Assembly continues – a meeting of Minister Mr. Sergey V. Lavrov and President of Sri Lanka C.B.Kumaratunga took place in New York in September 2004.
The Russian Federation, being the successor of the USSR, has actively developed the positive tendency of interstate relations with Sri Lanka. This attitude gave the possibility to provide the continuity of Russian – Sri Lankan ties. The basis of diverse cooperation which was laid down in previous years opens vast possibilities for its further development and implementation of new forms, though there was a certain decline in it during 90s. Our countries have identical or similar approaches to solution of majority of pressing international or regional issues.
The maintenance of political dialog within the United Nations Organization and its specialized agencies as well as consultations between the Ministries of foreign affairs of two countries are favorable for the development of Russian – Sri-Lankan mutual understanding and cooperation. Moreover it indicates the coincidence or closeness of positions of Russia and Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan side welcomed the initiatives of Russia to create under the aegis of the UN a global system of counteraction to modern threats, to formulate a codex of protecting human rights from terrorism.
Foreign Affairs Minister of the Russian Federation, Sergey V. Lavrov, arrived to Sri Lanka on October 26, 2009 for a one-day visit, which led to the renewal of the 51 years long diplomatic and friendly relationship between both countries – Lanka and Russian. The Russian Foreign Minister pledged that the Russian Federation will be always on the side of Sri Lanka, if in case the international community initiate any covetous move to charge Sri Lanka on any war related crimes. In March 2017, H.E. Maithripala Sirisena, President of Sri Lanka visited Russia at an invitation of Russian Pesident H.E. Vladimir Putin.
USSR, and subsequently Russia, has become a popular destination for Sri Lankan students pursuing higher education. It is estimated that todate about five thousand Sri Lankans have graduated in various fields from universities of former USSR and Russia. They are serving as experts in various fields in Sri Lanka contributing to the development of the nation. Russia continues to provide about 40 state scholarships annually for Sri Lankan students.
Both countries enjoy the gradual growth of bilateral trade. Russia remains the leading importer of Sri Lankan tea. Besides tea, Russia imports from Sri Lanka rubber, leather, spice and garments. And Sri Lanka imports from Russia steel, ferrous metal, newsprint, asbestos, fertilizers, and electrical equipment. The balance of trade has continuously been in favor of Sri Lanka. During Ambassador Udayanga Weeratunga period Sri Lanka is steadily becoming one of the popular destinations for Russian tourists which showed a 280% increase of tourist arrival from Russia & former Soviet Union country’s during 2014 than 2006 year. Direct flights by the Sri Lankan Airlines between Colombo and Moscow in September 2011 result in a significant growth in tourism. Direct flights by the Ukraine International Airlines between Kiev and Colombo in November 2010 result growth in tourist from Ukraine.
03.
History of Sri Lanka Embassy’s
Building № 24 in ulitsa Schepkina, Moscow
Building № 24 in ulitsa Schepkina is situated in the historical part of the north of Moscow and associated with famous figures of the Russian culture. The street was named after Russian great actor Mikhail Semenovich Schepkin, who lived there with his family in 1850-60’s in building № 47. Before being renamed in 1920’s, the name of the street was the 3rd Meschanskaya, which referred to the name of Meschanskaya quarter situated there in XVII century.
According to the Moscow Cultural Heritage Committee, mansion № 24 in ulitsa Schepkina does not have the status of historical or cultural monument. At the same time, according to the scientific and research literature, at the beginning of XIX century, the land where it was build was part of the property of merchants Bolotnov. There was a manufacture at that time. By the end of XIX century, the factory was closed, and successors of the Bolotnov divided the property in two parts. The bigger one was sold and a large-scale guest house № 22 was build there upon the project of architect G.A. Gelrikh, while the building currently occupied by the Embassy was build on the remaining part upon the project of architect S.M. Goncharov.
Sergey Mikhailovich Goncharov (1862-1935) belonged to the family of Natalia Nikolaevna Goncharova, spouse of Russian great poet Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin. He graduated from the Moscow School of Arts, Sculpture and Architecture and was the author of several guest houses in Moscow in the Art Nouveau and eclectic style, as well as the Trinity cathedral in Schelkovo.
The Bolotnov two-storey mansion was built in the eclectic style that was fashionable and popular among emerging Russian bourgeoisie in the second half of XIX century. It is characterized with a presentable and richly-decorated external appearance. The brightest décor features are the frieze with many-figured bas-relief and cast-iron entrance gate.
Former Heads of Mission, Ambassadors of Sri Lanka to the USSR (1957-1991) and the Russian Federation (1991 onward)
01. Prof. Gunapala P. Malalasekera (1957 – 1961)
02. Mr T.B. Subasinghe (1961 – 1965)
03. Mr B. F. Perera (1965 – 1968)
04. Mr. M. V. P. Peiris (1968 – 1969)
05. Mr. J. C. T. Kotalawela (1969 – 1970)
06. Mr. C. D. S. Siriwardene (1970 – 1974)
07. Dr. C. E. S. Weeratunge (1974 – 1976)
08. Mr. Walter Jayawardene (1977 – 1978)
09. Dr. R. C. A. Johnpulle (1978 – 1982)
10. Dr. Neville Kanakaratne (1982 – 1987)
11. Mr. Rodney C.A.Vandergert (1987 – 1991)
12. Dr. Nissanka Wijeratne (1991 – 1994)
13. Mr. N. M. M. I. Hussain (1995 – 1998)
14. Mr. N. Sikkander (1998 – 2002)
15. Mr. U. B. Wijekoon (2003 – 2004)
16. Mr. Neville Ranasuriya (2005 – 2006)
17. Prof. Udayanga Weeratunga July 16, 2006 – February 28, 2015
18. Dr. Saman Weerasinghe September 7, 2015 – March 1, 2018
19. Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka September 3, 2018 – January 14, 2020
20. Pro. M.D Lamawansa May 3, 2020 – July 31, 2021
21. Pro. Janitha A. Liyanage October 2021
