On March 27, 2019 H. E. Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Russia, and Madame Sanja Jayatilleka met with representatives of the Russia-Sri Lanka Friendship Society to discuss initiatives to be implemented through the Society in the framework of fostering of the bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and the Russian Federation.
The Russia-Sri Lanka Friendship Society was represented by Mr. Vladimir Polozkov, Deputy Chairman of the Russia-Sri Lanka Friendship Society, as well as other members of the Russian side of the Board of the Society Ms. Marina Korosteleva, the First Deputy to the Secretary General of the Russian Association of International Cooperation (RAIC), Mr. Vladimir Grishko, representative of the Republic of Komi in Moscow, and Mr. Alexander Trukhachev, Head of RAIC Sports Programs.
During the meeting several joint projects were proposed with the aim of promotion of Ceylon tea on the Russian market, exchange of expertise in jewelcrafting, organization of art exhibitions, such as “Sri Lanka through the eyes of Russian artists” and “Russia through the eyes of Sri Lankan artists”, as well as cooperation between educational institutions, including opportunities to visit the space programme. Additionally, the agenda of the meeting included a discussion of an idea of considering several cities in Sri Lanka and Russia for the twin towns program.
Lastly, the representatives of the Russia- Sri Lanka Friendship Society expressed their hope for active involvement of Madame Sanja Jayatilleka in the ‘Female Face of Diplomacy’ initiative that would highlight the role and contribution of spouses of Heads of Diplomatic Missions in Moscow and include organization of thematic events, attended by women, holding senior positions in diplomatic corps, government authorities and business communities.
Concluding the meeting, the Russia-Sri Lanka Friendship Society underscored its readiness to contribute to implementation the ideas, brought up during discussions, and development of the cooperation between the two countries on the whole.
