The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Russia organized a gala dinner reception at the Ritz Carlton Hotel Moscow in honour of the visit of the President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena to the Russian Federation on the invitation of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin, and to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Russia.
A gathering of 350 guests attended, including the officials of the Sri Lankan delegation led by President Maithripala Sirisena, senior officials from Russian government institutions, such as, the Federation Council, State Duma, Ministries and representatives of the business community, tourism and trade sectors of Russia.
The Russian guests of honour were Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Igor V. Morgulov, Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Russia and the Head of the Federal Agency for Fisheries, Ilya V. Shestakov, cosmonauts Valentina Tereshkova, Vladimir Lyakhov, Alexander Alexandrov and the Ambassador of Russia to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Alexander Karchava.
Before the official program the guests enjoyed the photo exhibition where they were acquainted with archived documents related to Sri Lanka-Russia relations and guided through all 60 years of friendship between the two countries, learning about historic moments that happened since the establishment of the diplomatic relations. tourism and the investment sectors of Sri Lanka.
The guests were also welcomed to taste pure Ceylon tea at the Tea Counter arranged by the Embassy of Sri Lanka. The main program of the reception included the screening of archived videos depicting historically valuable moments of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Russia such as official visits of the late Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike to the Soviet Union, traditional Russian and Sri Lankan dance performances and, of course, speeches given by Guests of Honour.
(Pictures by Sulochana Gamage)