[:en]First Lady Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa visit to Ukraine
27-30 July, 2010
First Lady of Sri Lanka Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa concluded a visit to Kiev, the capital of Ukraine from 27th to 30th July. During the visit Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa had the opportunity to visit Lyceum number 23, a special school for orphans in Kiev on 27th July. The “Lyceum 23“provides education and shelter for orphaned children. The First Lady was warmly received at the school by the head of the regional administration of Shevchenkovskiy district and the Director of the school.
The First Lady had the opportunity to talk with the school administration and the teachers on the administration and the curricula of the school. She was informed that the school provides education up to age 16 and has approximately 250-300 children studying at present. During the discussions, the First Lady expressed interest for exchange programs to provide opportunities for children of “Lyceum 23“to visit Sri Lanka while the school showed similar interest to provide opportunities for orphaned children from Sri Lanka to study at the institute. During the visit to Lyceum number 23 the First Lady also spoke with the children and distributed gifts among them.
The First Lady also visited 387th kindergarten school in Kiev. The school facilitates daycare services for approximately 290 children. She received a warm welcome at the school and had the opportunity talk with the teachers and administration. The First Lady showed keen interest to hear about the kindergarten school education in Ukraine and shared her experience on kindergarten schools in Sri Lanka. She also had the occasion to distribute gifts among the children and speak with the parents who were honored and delighted at the opportunity.
The highlight of Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa’s visit to Kiev was the 15th passing out ceremony of the National Defence University of Ukraine. It is worth mentioning that the National Defence University of Ukraine is world renowned and is the most prestigious defence school for officers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The First Lady had the rare privilege of participating as the Chief Guest at the passing out ceremony which was scheduled for 30th July.
At the National Defence University Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa was received by Hon. Borys Andresiuk, Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine and the Rector of the National Defence University. Sub Lieutenant Yoshitha Rajapaksa of the Sri Lankan Navy along with 35 officers of the Ukraine Armed Forces passed out at the ceremony. The Deputy Minister of Defence and other high ranking officials of the Armed Forces of Ukraine participated at the event. At the ceremony Sub Lieutenant Yoshitha Rajapaksa was awarded a sword by the Deputy Minister of Defence as a special passing out gift.
After the passing out ceremony, the First Lady visited the Museum of the National Defence University and special gifts were exchanged. She also took part in the Reception which followed the passing out ceremony. The 36 officers and their parents as well as the academic staff of the University were invited to the Reception. During the Reception, the Rector of the National Defence University expressed his pleasure that Sub Lieutenant Yoshitha Rajapaksa has chosen to study at the National Defence University of Ukraine and said that it is an honour to Ukraine.
H.E. Udayanga Weeratunga in proposing a Toast at the Reception mentioned that Sub Lieutenant Yoshitha Rajapaksa is the first officer of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces to have passed out at a Defence University in Ukraine. He also mentioned that Sub Lieutenant Yoshitha Rajapaksa is one of the youngest officers in Sri Lanka Armed Forces to have qualified in this manner went on to add that in the future more officers from the Sri Lanka Armed Forces will come to Ukraine for training and qualifications.
First Lady also had the occasion to visit several important places during her stay in Kiev. One remarkable site visited by Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa during her visit to Kiev is the Rodina Mat’ also known as the Motherland Monument of Ukraine built by Yevgeny Vuchetich. The Motherland Monument, built to honour the heroes and victims of World War II stands 62 meters tall upon the National Museum of History of the great Patriotic War. It is estimated that 9 – 12 million Ukrainians died during World War II.
During the visit Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa was accompanied by Ms. K.M. Samarasinghe, wife of Commander of Sri Lanka Navy Vice Admiral T.S.G. Samarasinghe.
H.E. Udayanga Weeratunga, Ambassador of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation concurrently accredited to Ukraine and Madam Uma Weeratunga also took part in the visit.

[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”269″ display=”basic_thumbnail”][:ru]Визит Первой Леди Шри Ланки Мадам Ширанти Раджапакса в Украину
27-30 июля 2010 года
С 27 по 30 июля 2010 года состоялся визит Первой Леди Шри Ланки мадам Ширанти Раджапакса в Украину. Во время визита 27 июня мадам Ширанти Раджапакса посетила детский лицей №23, специальную школу для детей-сирот. Первую леди тепло встретил руководитель региональной администрации Шевченковского района и директор самой школы.
Первая Леди поговорила с администрацией школы, учителями, обсудила вопросы учебной программы. Лицей обучает детей в возрасте до 16 лет и насчитывает от 250 до 300 воспитанников в настоящее время. Во время разговора Первая Леди выразила интерес в обмене программами обучения и предоставления возможности детям из лицея №23 посетить Шри Ланку. Руководство школы так же с интересом отнеслось к возможности пригласить детей-сирот из Шри Ланки пройти обучение в лицее. В Украине. Первая Леди так же пообщалась с детьми и подарила им подарки.
Мадам Ширанти Раджапакса так же посетила детский сад №387 в Киеве, насчитывающий около 290 воспитанников. В детском саду ее тепло приветствовала администрация и сами дети. Первой Леди было интересно узнать о системе дошкольного воспитания в Украине, а так же мадам Ширанти Раджапакса поделилась своим опытом организации дошкольного воспитания детей на Шри Ланке. Первая леди подарила детям подарки, а так же смогла поговорить с родителями детей.
Одной из причин визита Первой Леди на Украину стала церемония выпуска нового поколения студентов, прошедших курс обучения в стенах Национального Университета Обороны Украины. Это всемирно признанное и самое престижное военное учебное заведение для офицеров вооруженных сил Украины. Мадам Ширанти Раджапакса была почетным гостем на церемонии 30 июля 2010 года.
В национальном Университете Обороны мадам Ширанти Раджапакса была торжественно встречена Заместителем Министра Обороны Украины г-н Борисом Андресюком и Ректором Университета. Младший лейтенант ВМФ Шри Ланки Йошита Раджапакса вместе с 35 офицерами Вооруженных Сил Украины были торжественны награждены дипломами. В церемонии принимали участие высокопоставленные лица Вооруженных Сил Украины. На церемонии младший лейтенант Йошита Раджапакса был награжден мечом от Заместителя Министра Обороны Украины в качестве специального выпускного подарка.
После церемонии Первая Леди посетила музей Университета Обороны и стороны обменялись специальными подарками. Она так же присутствовала на приеме в честь выпускного, на который были приглашены 36 воспитанников Университета вместе с их родителями. Во время приветственной речи Ректор Национального Университета Обороны выразил свое признание за то, что младший лейтенант Йошита Раджапакса выбрал именно их Университет для продолжения своего обучения.
Посол Удаянга Виратунга провозгласил тост, объявив, что младший лейтенант Йошита Раджапакса является первым студентом Университета из Шри ланки, а так же самым молодым офицером военных сил Шри Ланки, получившим подобное образование. Он так же отметил, что в будущем большее число офицеров из Шри Ланки будет приезжать для обучения и получения диплома Национального Университета Обороны Украины.
Во время визита Первая Леди посетила несколько достопримечательностей Киева. Среди них монумент «Родина Мать», построенный в честь героев и жертв Второй Мировой Войны. Памятник высотой 62 метра расположен за Национальным Музеем Истории Войны. По подсчетам около 9-12 миллионов человек погибли во время Второй Мировой Войны.
Во время своего визита в Украину мадам Ширанти Раджапакса сопровождала мадам Самарасингхе, супруга командующего ВМФ Шри Ланки, Посол Шри Ланки в России, аккредитованный в Украине и его супруга мадам Ума Виратунга.

[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”269″ display=”basic_thumbnail”][:SI]First Lady Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa visit to Ukraine
27-30 July, 2010
First Lady of Sri Lanka Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa concluded a visit to Kiev, the capital of Ukraine from 27th to 30th July. During the visit Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa had the opportunity to visit Lyceum number 23, a special school for orphans in Kiev on 27th July. The “Lyceum 23“provides education and shelter for orphaned children. The First Lady was warmly received at the school by the head of the regional administration of Shevchenkovskiy district and the Director of the school.
The First Lady had the opportunity to talk with the school administration and the teachers on the administration and the curricula of the school. She was informed that the school provides education up to age 16 and has approximately 250-300 children studying at present. During the discussions, the First Lady expressed interest for exchange programs to provide opportunities for children of “Lyceum 23“to visit Sri Lanka while the school showed similar interest to provide opportunities for orphaned children from Sri Lanka to study at the institute. During the visit to Lyceum number 23 the First Lady also spoke with the children and distributed gifts among them.
The First Lady also visited 387th kindergarten school in Kiev. The school facilitates daycare services for approximately 290 children. She received a warm welcome at the school and had the opportunity talk with the teachers and administration. The First Lady showed keen interest to hear about the kindergarten school education in Ukraine and shared her experience on kindergarten schools in Sri Lanka. She also had the occasion to distribute gifts among the children and speak with the parents who were honored and delighted at the opportunity.
The highlight of Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa’s visit to Kiev was the 15th passing out ceremony of the National Defence University of Ukraine. It is worth mentioning that the National Defence University of Ukraine is world renowned and is the most prestigious defence school for officers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The First Lady had the rare privilege of participating as the Chief Guest at the passing out ceremony which was scheduled for 30th July.
At the National Defence University Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa was received by Hon. Borys Andresiuk, Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine and the Rector of the National Defence University. Sub Lieutenant Yoshitha Rajapaksa of the Sri Lankan Navy along with 35 officers of the Ukraine Armed Forces passed out at the ceremony. The Deputy Minister of Defence and other high ranking officials of the Armed Forces of Ukraine participated at the event. At the ceremony Sub Lieutenant Yoshitha Rajapaksa was awarded a sword by the Deputy Minister of Defence as a special passing out gift.
After the passing out ceremony, the First Lady visited the Museum of the National Defence University and special gifts were exchanged. She also took part in the Reception which followed the passing out ceremony. The 36 officers and their parents as well as the academic staff of the University were invited to the Reception. During the Reception, the Rector of the National Defence University expressed his pleasure that Sub Lieutenant Yoshitha Rajapaksa has chosen to study at the National Defence University of Ukraine and said that it is an honour to Ukraine.
H.E. Udayanga Weeratunga in proposing a Toast at the Reception mentioned that Sub Lieutenant Yoshitha Rajapaksa is the first officer of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces to have passed out at a Defence University in Ukraine. He also mentioned that Sub Lieutenant Yoshitha Rajapaksa is one of the youngest officers in Sri Lanka Armed Forces to have qualified in this manner went on to add that in the future more officers from the Sri Lanka Armed Forces will come to Ukraine for training and qualifications.
First Lady also had the occasion to visit several important places during her stay in Kiev. One remarkable site visited by Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa during her visit to Kiev is the Rodina Mat’ also known as the Motherland Monument of Ukraine built by Yevgeny Vuchetich. The Motherland Monument, built to honour the heroes and victims of World War II stands 62 meters tall upon the National Museum of History of the great Patriotic War. It is estimated that 9 – 12 million Ukrainians died during World War II.
During the visit Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa was accompanied by Ms. K.M. Samarasinghe, wife of Commander of Sri Lanka Navy Vice Admiral T.S.G. Samarasinghe.
H.E. Udayanga Weeratunga, Ambassador of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation concurrently accredited to Ukraine and Madam Uma Weeratunga also took part in the visit.

[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”269″ display=”basic_thumbnail”][:]