Celebrating a resolute friendship | Sunday Observer
Sri Lanka, Russia mark 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties

Celebrating a resolute friendship

27 February, 2022
Yury Gagarin’s visit to Ceylon
Yury Gagarin’s visit to Ceylon


President Gotabaya Rajapaksa meets Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

This is a significant year for Sri Lanka and Russia as the two nations celebrate 65 years of diplomatic relations. The path to achieve this milestone was not without obstacles, but Russia has been a resolute friend to Sri Lanka, standing by our side when we were in difficult situations.

Consistent in its support at the UN when Sri Lanka faced adversary, Russia gave us strength during the battle against terrorism and after. Russia has understood Sri Lanka’s struggle with terrorism and rendered assistance in recovery, reconciliation and development, firm in its stance that Sri Lanka needs no foreign interference. This has been reiterated by Russia in many public forums and official statements.

Partnership

Likewise, Sri Lanka stands by Russia in its initiatives at the UN, including resolutions on countering the glorification of Nazism, the prevention of an arms race in outer space, efforts to promote international information security, arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation.

For 65 years since the two nations established diplomatic relations on February 19, 1957, cooperation between Sri Lanka and Russia on all fronts has been mutually beneficial and growing. With milestone achievements to mark our journey, this year, the two countries have all the more reason to celebrate as we standby each other through thick and thin.


First Secretary Anastasia Khokhlova


Russian Centre CEO Buddhapriya Ramanayake

The two states lost no time in laying the foundation for bilateral ties soon after establishing diplomatic relations, with the agreement on cooperation in economic and technical spheres being signed a year later on February 25. Thereafter, Russia has been a key development partner for Sri Lanka, initially assisting in the construction of the Oruwala Steel and Modera Flour Mills, Kelaniya Tyre Factory, and Samanala Wewa Hydro-Energy Projects.

Historic ties

Relations between the two countries date back further into the past with the likes of prominent Seafarers and renowned Russian writers walking on Sri Lankan soil.

The first mentions of Ceylon were found in the memoirs of Russian merchant and traveler Afanasiy Nikitin in the late 15th century. The earliest Russians to arrive were Navy officer Yuri Lisiansky and his friends in 1799. Later, it was Count Saltykov twice in 1841 and 1845, who wrote about the beauty of the exotic country, its people, culture, and religion. It is also an honour for Sri Lanka to receive great writers in the likes of Anton Chekhov and Ivan Bunin who travelled to Sri Lanka in the early 90s.

Their impressions of the island is well versed in their writing, describing it as a ‘paradise’ and ‘God blessed land’. Russian Emperor Nikolay II also set foot on the land before becoming Emperor during his world travels and the tree planted by him at Peradeniya Botanical Gardens in 1891 exists to this day.

A significant visit, after establishing diplomatic relations, was by the world’s first cosmonaut, Yury Gagarin in 1961, who was received with great jubilation. He too travelled across the island and the tree planted by him at Peradeniya still stands strong.

High level visits

Relations between the two nations expanded with high level visits, initially by then Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike in 1963 and 1974. Although there was a decline in bilateral contacts with the disintegration of the Soviet Union, relations were re-established and strengthened after the Russian Federation gained its place as an important stakeholder in the world order.

More state visits took place thereafter, with the first-ever visit of Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov to Colombo in 2009, the visit of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Moscow in 2010, and the meeting between former President Maithripala Sirisena and Russian President Vladimir Putin, to name a few.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov also visited Sri Lanka and met President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, giving a new impetus to our bilateral relations. Russia and Sri Lanka have regular inter-parliamentary and inter-ministerial exchanges as well, through various mechanisms.

Bilateral trade

The value of bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and Russia in 2019 was US$ 397.33 million with Russia’s imports amounting to US$ 289.42 million and exports amounting to US$ 107.91 million. Russia continues to be the largest consumer of Ceylon tea. The Sri Lanka-Russia Business Council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has been operational since 2001, propelling business and trade between the two countries.

At present, the two countries are working towards increasing the volume of bilateral trade and enhancing cooperation in the high-tech industry, which will be further discussed at the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, that will take place in April in Colombo.

Expanding cooperation in the peaceful use of atomic energy is also being discussed. Military cooperation between the two states has been marked by the exchange of high-level visits and agreements, along with broadening maritime cooperation.

Sri Lanka has, throughout the years, been a popular tourist destination for Russians, and increased after direct flights commenced between Colombo and Moscow after 2018. In 2019, nearly 86,500 Russian tourists arrived in the country.

Russia’s contributions in humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka have been vast, significantly for the IDPs affected by the conflict, victims of the tsunami and other natural disasters, and for Covid control. The Russian Government also transferred US$ 5.5 million to the World Food Program to finance the development of sustainable school feeding projects in Sri Lanka. Russia also provided humanitarian assistance amounting to US $ 24 million in 2017 following large-scale floods and landslides that devastated many parts of Sri Lanka.

Culture and education

People to people relations between the two countries are growing with frequent cultural and educational exchanges, especially through the Russian Centre in Colombo under the Cultural Section of the Embassy of the Russian Federation.

The centre offers various programs for Sri Lankans ranging from language courses, ballet classes, chess training, art, music, and so on. The Friendship Society of Sri Lanka and Russia continue to function smoothly while Sri Lankan students continue to benefit from Russia’s education system.

For 2019/2020 academic year, 41 students received scholarships from the Russian Government to follow various courses. The scholarship quota for Sri Lanka is expected to increase in 2023.

Anastasia Khokhlova, First Secretary of the Embassy of the Russian Federation and Director of the Russian Centre in Colombo said the Centre has been continuously connecting the peoples of Russia and Sri Lanka, bringing the cultures closer together for over four decades.

“Special occasions, state holidays and anniversaries are regularly celebrated by the Centre with concerts bringing Russian musicians, ballet dance troupes, art exhibitions, festivals and forums, thus promoting cultural diversity and friendship among the peoples,” she said.

Celebrations

Buddhapriya Ramanayake, Chief Executive Officer of the Russian Centre said a series of programs will be held throughout the year to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Sri Lanka – Russia diplomatic relations.

On March 25, a multi-religious alms-giving will be held at the Russian Centre while a youth exchange program is planned for May 12. The arrival of political and business delegations in June and July will also mark the celebrations.

Ramanayake added that a significant event will be the Russian cultural festival to be held in August at the Arcade premises where the public can appreciate all things Russian; from food to song, dance and art. He said the Russia – Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Society, National Committee representing all parties, Association of Sri Lankan Graduates from Socialist Countries, and Russia-Sri Lanka Business Council collaborate with the Russian Centre to organise the various events.

Apart from these, a stamp exhibition, a tree planting ceremony, art competition, Russian food festival, lantern festival and music festival participated by local and foreign artistes are planned for this year.

“I have been with the Russian Centre for 25 years and I am extremely happy to contribute to Sri Lanka’s friendship with Russia. I hope to contribute more to strengthen relations to mutually benefit my motherland as well as Russia,” Ramanayake added.

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