DECEMBER 2017

Restrictions imposed on Ceylon tea imports by Russia are withdrawn

with the effect from December 30, 2017

On December 18, 2017 the Russian Federal
Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary
Surveillance imposed a ban on imports of all the
plant-origin products, manly Ceylon tea, from
Sri Lanka because of the Khapra beetle discovered in
a tea shipment arrived from Sri Lanka.
These restrictions were to have strong and
rather damaging impact on trade operations between
Sri Lanka and Russia, with the legendary quality of
Ceylon tea being brought in question.
However, as a result of timely established close
cooperation and fruitful negotiations between
Sri Lankan and Russian officials, it was decided to
withdraw the restrictions with the effect from December
30, 2017.
(more information available on page 5)

w w w . s r i l a n k a e m b a s s y . ru 1
 International Cultural Festival
“Wreath of folk traditions”
at the Russian People’s Friendship University

On December 6, 2017 representatives of the

Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation
attended the Gala Concert held in the framework of the
International Cultural Festival “Wreath of folk
traditions” organized at the Russian People's Friendship
University.

Sri Lankan students enrolled at the RPFU participated at

the event representing the unique and extraordinary
culture of Sri Lanka, its traditions and customs.

The Russian People's Friendship University is one of the

most popular Russian universities among foreign
students, where more than 40 Sri Lankan students
currently obtain higher education.

w w w . s r i l a n k a e m b a s s y . ru 2
 Negotiations
between the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Russia
and the Deputy Head of the Rosselkhoznadzor
On December 19, 2017 H. E. Dr. Saman Weerasinghe,
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Russia, accompanied by
Mr. Upul Priyantha, Third Secretary/Head of the Tea
Promotion Unit of the Embassy and Ms. Chathurika
Perera, Second Secretary (Commercial) of the Embassy,
met with Ms. Julia Shvabauskene, Deputy Head of the
Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and
Phytosanitary Surveillance to discuss the temporary
restrictions imposed by the Russian Federation on
Ceylon tea imports from Sri Lanka with the effect from
December 18, 2017.

At the meeting, both sides expressed their interest in the

soonest resolution of the current issue which is
damaging not only for the Sri Lankan, but for the
Russian economy as well as bilateral trade relations
between the two countries on the whole.
The Russian side informed that they were waiting for a
technical delegation from the Sri Lanka Tea Board to
arrive in Moscow on December 27-28, 2017 to proceed
with resolving of the Ceylon tea imports restrictions
issue and requested a report from the Plant Quarantine
Service of Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan Embassy in
Moscow obtained the document from Sri Lanka and
forwarded to the Russian authority later on the same
day.
The Russian officials also informed the Embassy that all
tea consignments shipped before December 18th from
Sri Lanka would be strictly inspected and released, if no
quarantine pest is found.
On the whole, the Russian officials expressed their
commitment to the issue of temporary restrictions
imposed on the Ceylon tea imports from Sri Lanka.
Negotiations have been acknowledged as fruitful and
leading to numerous positive signs.
At the end of the meeting, H. E. the Ambassador said,
“I think that the visit of the Sri Lanka Tea Board
delegation will be very efficient and productive and all
restrictions will be withdrawn in the near future, as both
countries are strongly committed and ready for close
cooperation on the subject”.

w w w . s r i l a n k a e m b a s s y . ru 3
 New Year 2018 Reception is held
at the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Russia
On December 20, 2017 His Excellency Dr. Saman
Weerasinghe, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Russia,
hosted the New Year Reception at the Embassy of
Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation.
The event gathered more than 120 guests, among whom
were officials from various Russian government
authorities, prominent representatives of the Sri Lankan
and Russian business sectors, namely tourism, tea, food
and beverage industries.
It has been acknowledged by many guests who attended
the reception that this year has appeared to be a turning
point in the history of bilateral relations between the two
countries, as the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of
diplomatic relations was celebrated and the official visit
of the President of Sri Lanka H. E. Maithripala Sirisena
to the Russian Federation and his meeting with the
President of Russia H. E. Vladimir Putin were organized
in March of 2017, having become the most outstanding
occasions of the year.

During his speech, H. E. the Ambassador summarized

the activities carried out by the Embassy throughout the
year of 2017 and pointed out that during this period a
tremendous progress was made by both Sri Lanka and
Russia in the framework of the interstate partnership.
“Both countries made immense contributions towards
the development of cooperation in various fields and
identified new ways of partnership for the near future”,
H. E. Dr. Saman Weerasinghe said, while addressing the
esteemed audience.
“ The year of 2017 has been very
fruitful in terms of visits of high
level delegations, events and
activities which were carried out by
the Embassy with the sole aim of
further strengthening and
development of bilateral relations
between Sri Lanka and Russia.
I sincerely hope that
the next year will be the period
when both countries achieve more
great and positive results benefiting
their economies and their people.
”
w w w . s r i l a n k a e m b a s s y . ru 4
 Negotiations between the Sri Lanka
Tea Board and Rosselkhoznadzor
delegations

On December 25th an official delegation from the Sri

Lanka Tea Board met with the Russian Federal Service
for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance
(Rosselkhoznadzor) to discuss the temporary restrictions
imposed by the Russian Federation on imports of
plant-origin products from Sri Lanka on December 18,
2017.
The Sri Lankan side was comprised of the official
delegation led by Mr. Rohan Pethiyagoda, SLTB
Chairman, and H. E. Dr. Saman Weerasinghe,
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Russian Federation,
whereas the Russian counterpart was headed by the
Head of the Rosselkhoznadzor Mr. Sergei Dankvert.
As a result of fruitful and productive negotiations,
the Russian side announced its decision to lift the
restrictions with the effect from December 30, 2017.
This result was achieved thanks to the mutual and
timely cooperation between the state authorities of
Sri Lanka and the Russian Federation during the period
of one week since the announcement of the restrictions.
It has been noted that the most positive influence in this
regard was made thanks to the official letter of H. E.
Maithripala Sirisena, President of Sri Lanka, addressed
to H. E. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, on the
subject of the imposed restrictions, where he mentioned
the current positive tendency of development of bilateral
relations between the two states and the gravity of the
soonest resolution of the issue related to the Ceylon tea
imports.
State authorities of both countries pointed out the
importance of presence of Ceylon tea on the Russian
market, taking into account the fact that Russia is one of
the largest export destinations for Sri Lanka, whereas
Ceylon tea gains more and more popularity with
Russian consumers every year.

w w w . s r i l a n k a e m b a s s y . ru 5
 A Sri Lankan delegation visits the
All-Russian Plant Quarantine Center
(VNIIKR)
In accordance with the agreements reached at the
meeting held on December 25, 2017, phytosanitary
specialists and representatives of the Sri Lanka Tea
Board visited FGBU "VNIIKR" to familiarize
themselves with the existing practice of quarantine
phytosanitary diagnostics currently implemented and
used in the Russian Federation.
During the meeting, the Sri Lankan delegation was
given an opportunity to learn more about the main
activities of the institute within the framework of the
Rosselkhoznadzor work in the field of plant quarantine.
The experts from the All-Russian Plant Quarantine
Center presented a report on laboratory methods used in
the Russian Federation to study samples for
identification and identification of the horned beetle
Trogoderma granarium.
During the visit to the laboratories of the testing expert
center of VNIIKR the delegation got acquainted with
the methods of research and evaluated the high level of
equipment and competence of the specialists of All-
Russian Plant Quarantine Center (VNIIKR).
As a result of the meeting, the Sri Lankan side
expressed the wish to develop further cooperation with
the aim of exchanging positive experience in the
organization of laboratory research.

w w w . s r i l a n k a e m b a s s y . ru 6
 MOST SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
OF THE YEAR OF 2017: REVIEW

JANUARY
On January 26, 2017 the delegation from the National
Institute of Labour Studies under the Ministry of
Labour and Trade Union Relations of Sri Lanka visited
the Academy of Labour and Social Relations of the
Russian Federation to sign the Memorandum of
Understanding.
According to the MoU, both institutions will now be
able to implement various activities in the framework of
cooperation in scientific and educational fields.

february
February of 2017 marked the visit of Hon. Navin
Dissanayake, Minister of Plantation Industries of
Sri Lanka.
During his visit, the official Sri Lankan delegation
visited the PRODEXPO Exhibition and conducted
productive negotiations with the Russian Chamber of
Commerce and Industry. Further, Hon. Navin
Dissanayake met with Hon. Alexander Tkachev,
Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation.
The visit was concluded with a networking dinner
reception at the Ritz Carlton Moscow Hotel in parallel
to the 24th Prodexpo International exhibition which
gathered more than 100 prominent representatives of the
tea trade in the Russian Federation and Sri Lanka.

w w w . s r i l a n k a e m b a s s y . ru 7
 March
It has been acknowledged by many people that March
became one of the most important and remarkable
periods in the whole history of bilateral relations
between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
and the Russian Federation, as His Excellency
Maithripala Sirisena, President of Sri Lanka, visited the
Russian Federation at the initiation of His Excellency
Vladimir Putin.

During his visit, the Head of State met with his Russian
Counterpart as well as the Prime Minister of Russia
Hon. Dmitry Medvedev. In the framework of the official
visit, the first ever Sri Lanka-Russia Business Forum
was organized, whilst the Embassy held a gala dinner
reception in honor of H. E. the President of Sri Lanka
and on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka
and Russia. At the same time, a range of documents,
such as Federal Agreements and MoUs, were signed
between the government authorities of the two countries
with the goal of further development of cooperation in
various directions.

w w w . s r i l a n k a e m b a s s y . ru 8
APRIL
On April 26-27, 2017 a Sri Lankan delegation attended
the VI Moscow Conference on International Security.

The delegation, comprising Mr. R.M.S. Sarath Kumara,

Additional Secretary (Defence), Ministry of Defence,
Rear Admiral J.J. Ranasinghe, Vice Chancellor, General
Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Air Vice
Marshal P.D.K.T. Jayasinghe, Commandant, Air Force
Academy, Chinabay, participated in bilateral and
military-technical cooperation discussions during the
visit. Sri Lankan delegates, accompanied by H. E. Dr.
Saman Weerasinghe, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to
Russia, met with senior officials of the Federal Service
for Military and Technical Cooperation. In addition, the
delegation held high level discussions with
representatives of Ilyushin Company and with
Hon. Minister of Islamic Republic of Iran in the
framework of the Conference.

may
On May 10, 2017 the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the
Russian Federation held religious activities in the
framework of celebration of the Vesak Day. For the
second consecutive year the Embassy also organized the
Vesak Lantern competition for Sri Lankan students
obtaining higher education at Russian Universities.
Totally, seven teams participated in the competition.
On such occasion the Embassy organized a reception for
the local Sri Lankan student and business communities.

w w w . s r i l a n k a e m b a s s y . ru 9
 JUNE
In June of 2017 the IX International Forum
ATOMEXPO 2017 was held in Moscow which was also
attended by Hon. Susil Premajayantha, Minister of
Science, Technology and Research of Sri Lanka.
In the framework of his visit to Moscow, Hon. Susil
Premajayantha had a bilateral meeting with Mr. Nikolay
N. Spassky, Deputy Director General for International
Relations of the ROSATOM Corporation.
Over a number of years the Forum has become one of
the most important events and annually includes an
exhibition, round table discussions related to nuclear
energy, visits to nuclear research centers and a forum to
conduct bilateral relations.

july
On the 6th of July people all
over the world celebrated the
150th Anniversary of the
establishment of the tea industry in Sri Lanka by
holding the Global Tea Party.

All Sri Lankan Diplomatic Missions organized such

event and invited prominent representative of tea
industries of respective host countries. Likewise, the
Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation
gathered more than 60 guests to celebrate 150 years of
Ceylon tea, one of the finest Asian gifts to the world.

w w w . s r i l a n k a e m b a s s y . ru 10
 AUGUST
The Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka
attended the International Military - Technical Forum
“ARMY 2017” held in Moscow Region on August 22-
27, 2017.

This year Sri Lanka was represented by a high level

delegation led by Mr. Hon. Kapila Waidyarathne,
Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka,
which not only attended the Forum, but also held
official discussions with the Ministry of Defence of
Russia and the Federal Service of Military and
Technical Cooperation.

SEPTEMBER
September was fruitful for activities in the framework of
trade cooperation, as Sri Lankan delegations took part in
international exhibitions held in Moscow in the course of
the month focusing on food and beverages and tourism
(“WORLD FOOD» and «LEISURE»).

w w w . s r i l a n k a e m b a s s y . ru 11
OCTOBER
October of 2017 marked yet another significant event in
the history of bilateral political relations between
Sri Lanka and Russia, as the Speaker of the Parliament
of Sri Lanka Hon. Karu Jayasuriya, accompanied by a
Parliamentary delegation and His Excellency Dr. Saman
Weerasinghe, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Russia,
attended the 137th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly
in St. Petersburg.
In the framework of the visit, Hon. Speaker of the
Sri Lankan Parliament held discussions with the Deputy
Chairmen of the Federation Council and the State Duma
of the Federal Assembly of Russia and met with the
Vice Governor of St. Petersburg.
The visit of Hon. Karu Jayasuriya to the 137th IPU
Assembly is believed to have boosted the further
improvement of cooperation between the two countries
and set additional platforms for exploration of new ways
of collaboration.

Also, the Second Session of the Sri Lanka-Russian

Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic,
Science and Technical Cooperation took place in
Colombo, Sri Lanka on October 24-26, 2017.
During the official negotiations, both parties discussed
main questions set in the framework of the trade and
economic cooperation between the two countries in the
sector of agriculture and fisheries, including supply of
Russian civil aviation machinery and potash fertilizers.

w w w . s r i l a n k a e m b a s s y . ru 12
 NOVEMBER
November brought us two memorable events—Dharma
Deshana Cermon for the Sri Lankan local community
based in Moscow and the Ceylon Tea Tasting Party
arranged for the Moscow Association of Military
Attachés.
Dhamma Sermon was held at the Official Residence of
H.E. the Ambassador on the 22nd of November.
Amongst the more than 100 participants were the
Embassy staff and members of their families, Sri
Lankan students in Moscow, Kursk and Tver and mem-
bers of the Sri Lankan business community in Russia.
While Venerable Randiligama Anuruddha Thero deliv-
ered the Dhamma Sermon, Ven. Pallegama Hema-
rathana Thero and Ven. Dr. Pallekande Rathanasara
Thero delivered the Anusasana. On that occasion cash
gifts and certificates were distributed to the winners and
participants of the Vesak Lantern Competition
organized by the Embassy for the second time in May
2017 for the Sri Lankan students in Moscow.

On November 30, 2017 the Embassy of Sri Lanka in

Russia organized a Ceylon Tea Tasting Ceremony for
the Moscow Association of Military Attaches.
The official part of the event included screening of
several video coverages of the tea and tourism industries
of Sri Lanka as well as a presentation on Ceylon
Tea given by Mr. Upul Priyantha, Head of the Tea
Promotion Unit of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Russia.
Also, Ms. Anna Svischeva, Russia Tea Masters Cup
Champion, Tea Mixology Winner, demonstrated
preparation of cold tea drinks based on
Ceylon tea.

w w w . s r i l a n k a e m b a s s y . ru 13
 @SLinRussia - official account of the Embassy
@SLAmbtoRussia - official account of H. E. the
Ambassador

https://www.facebook.com/slembassymoscow

w w w . s r i l a n k a e m b a s s y . ru 14