Putin congratulates President Wickremesinghe; looks to foster bilateral cooperation
COLOMBO – Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly written to his Sri Lankan counterpart, Ranil Wickremesinghe, saying he is looking to foster bilateral cooperation and strengthen regional stability and security on the latter’s watch.
Wickremesinghe’s media division on Monday (25) released a translation of a letter said to have been sent by President Putin congratulating the new president on his victory on July 20.
“The Russian-Sri Lankan relations are of traditionally friendly nature. I am counting on your activities as Head of State to foster further development of the constructive bilateral cooperation in various spheres for the benefit of our peoples and in the interest of strengthening the regional stability and security.
“I wish you every success as well as good health and prosperity,” the letter, bearing no signature or recognizable letterhead, said.
The letter follows a meeting Wickremesinghe has had with Russia’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Yury Materiy, who, according to the president’s media division, had extended Putin’s congratulatory message.
Sri Lanka’s relations with Russia were tested recently after a controversy surrounding a court case filed in Sri Lanka against Russia’s national carrier Aeroflot, which has since been resolved.
Last month, independent MP Wimal Weerawansa told Parliament that the island nation must not overlook “traditional ally” Russia in its efforts to overcome its worsening economic crisis, particularly with regard to ongoing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
-economynext.com/ENCL