Putin congratulates Sri Lanka president; looks to foster bilateral cooperation

ECONOMYNEXT – Russian President Vladimir Putin writing to his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe has said he is looking to foster bilateral cooperation and strengthen regional stability and security on the latter’s watch.

On Monday July 25, President Wickremesinghe’s media division released a translation of a letter said to have been sent in by President Putin congratulating him for 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 recognisable letterhead, said.

Earlier Monday morning, Wickremesinghe had met Russia’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka Yury Materiy, who had extended Putin’s wishes, the president’s media division said.

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 Aeorflot, which has now been resolved.

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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).

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