This is the first official tour of a Sri Lankan leader to Russia in four decades after the state visit of Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike in 1974. The President was accompanied by Mrs. Jayanthi Sirisena and several ministers and officials.
During the forthcoming visit, two countries will enter into several new Agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) to expand bilateral cooperation in several fields such as energy, trade and commerce, agriculture, education, judiciary and defence.
The visit is expected to strengthen friendship and cooperation further and enhance bilateral trade between Russia and Sri Lanka. An agreement on Cooperation in Fisheries, a Protocol on Cooperation in Education and Culture and two Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Education, Science and Technology and Culture will also be signed during the visit.
President Sirisena is scheduled to meet President Putin, Prime Minister Dimitri Medvedev and other leaders in Kremlin in Red Square. He will also place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow. He will also attend the ceremony to mark 60th Anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The Ministerial team for bilateral discussions include Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Science and Technology Research Minister, Susil Premajayantha, Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs Minister, John Amaratunga, Skills Development and Vocational Training Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs Minister S. B. Navinna and Minister of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekara.