The outgoing Russian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Ambassador Yury Materiy for his part, pledged to do his utmost to foster bilateral relations between the two countries even though he is leaving Sri Lanka after completing his tenure.
President Materiy, who has ended his term in Sri Lanka, said that he will continue to work to strengthen the relations with Sri Lanka.
He further stressed the need to enhance ties and develop the tourism industry between the two countries.
He expressed these views when he called on President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat recently..
President Wickremesinghe thanked Ambassador Materiy for his service rendered to Sri Lanka as the Ambassador of Russia.
Sri Lanka has reached out to Russia for assistance notwithstanding the stringent sanctions thrashed out by the US and EU against the latter.
Colombo is keen to resume flight services with Russia with the hope of boosting tourist inflow.
The Russian state-owned carrier Aeroflot suspended operations some times back after its flight carrying 191 passengers and 13 crew members was not allowed to take off from Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport on account of a payment dispute.
Sri Lanka, which is amid the worst economic crisis since its independence, has also asked Russia to provide fuel to tide over the situation .
Russia has also expressed support towards Sri Lanka in bilateral and multilateral fora.
The President stressed the need of further consolidating cooperation, with particular attention to enhancing business ties, tourism and connectivity.
Notably, this year marks the 65th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Russia and Sri Lanka.
The two countries confirmed commitment to developing further friendly bilateral ties in the context of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries being marked this year and agreed to continue contacts at various levels.
He also wished President Wickremesinghe the strength to take Sri Lanka out of the economic crisis and establish a stable country.
President Wickremesinghe wished Ambassador Yury Materiy success in all his future undertakings and thanked him for all the assistance rendered during his tenure in Sri Lanka.
