Colombo : Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena left on a three-day official visit to Russia beginning today on the invitation extended by his counterpart Vladimir Putin.
Sirisena will be the first Sri Lankan Head of the State to visit Russia in over four decades since 1974, when Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike visited Moscow, reports the Colombo Page.
The visit signifies an important milestone in the government’s foreign relations as both countries celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.
President Sirisena is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with his Russian counrepart tomorrow.
The official discussions are expected to review progress made in the longstanding bilateral relationship, including the way forward to further promote trade and investment between the two countries.
Several bilateral agreements in the areas of fisheries, tourism, cultural and education cooperation, including cooperation in the science and technology sector, are scheduled to be signed during the visit.
A Sri Lanka-Russia Business Forum will be also held in Moscow, and Colombo will be represented by a delegation of the Sri Lanka -Russia Business Council.
Sirisena is accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Mangala Samaraweera and five other Cabinet Ministers on this visit.
–ANI