Assuring that it will render unconditional assistance to Sri Lanka, Russia has said it always respected the national dignity and sovereignty of the country.
“My country supported Sri Lanka starting from its struggle for independence, in building its national economy and of course in its struggle against terrorism,” the Russian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Vladimir Mikhaylov, said on Thursday.
“We have always respected the sovereignty, independence and the national dignity of Sri Lanka and will render all possible assistance without any conditions,” he said.
The Russian Federation provided Sri Lanka an aid worth $ 5.82 lakh including two mobile power stations, tents, blankets, food items like canned meat and canned fish together, medicines and disinfectants for the IDPs in the North.
Describing the aid as a “gift”, Sri Lankan Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe thanked Russia for the assistance and said this was granted without a request by the Government.
“This event will strengthen the friendship and sincerity between the two countries and I assure that the aid will reach its destination on time,” he said.
A special aircraft carrying the consignment reached Colombo on Wednesday.
The delegation was headed by O Vorobievskaya, Senior Specialist Expert, Development of International Relations of the Ministry for Emergency Situations, Russia.
