The Government of the Russian Federation has donated a consignment worth US$303,000 for the purpose of humanitarian assistance in Sri Lanka.
The aid items donated to the government was airlifted to Sri Lanka with a delegation headed by Ms. O. Vorobievskaya, Senior Specialist Expert, Development of International Relations of the Ministry for Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation.
The aid items were received by the Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services, Mr. Abdul Risath Bathiyutheen and Mr. Romesh Jayasinghe, Secretary Foreign Affairs at the Bandaranayake International Airport.
‘The Russian government is strongly against terrorism and will extend its fullest support to post-war Sri Lanka’, said Russia’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka Vladamir Mihailo, speaking at a press briefing to announce the handing over of the large consignment of aid for the IDPs in the North and de-mining equipment. Two Russian de-mining experts are also in the country.
The Government is also developing water, electricity and road facilities in the area and has decided to help IDPs to build their own incomes.
Responding to the claims that the resettlement process is delayed by the Government, Minister Samarasinghe noted: “We feel about our people more than any other foreign State and what the others are doing in this regard is supplementary to the Government’s approach.”
He said this support given by the Russian Federation will be a step towards strengthening bilateral relations.