President Mahinda Rajapaksa left for Ukraine today (29 June) for an official visit on an invitation by the President of Ukraine, Victor Yanukovich. The visit will extend till 3 July. This is the first Head of State visit from Sri Lanka to Ukraine.
President Rajapaksa will hold bilateral discussions with the President of Ukraine, the Prime Minister and other senior Ministers of the Government of Ukraine. Sri Lanka and Ukraine will sign four bilateral cooperation agreements on military technology, security, tourism, navigation and transport during his visit.
President Rajapaksa is scheduled to visit the Parliament of Ukraine and also address the National Defence University of Ukraine.
A Sri Lanka-Ukraine Business Forum has also been organized parallel to the President’s visit which is expected to strengthen cooperation in trade and economic sectors between the two countries. A Sri Lankan Cultural Evening featuring the Sri Lanka Air Force Cultural Troupe will also take place.
The visit is expected to expand bilateral relations between the two countries in Trade and Economy, Tourism and Human Resource Development.
President Rajapaksa will be accompanied among others by the Minister for External Affairs, Prof. G.L. Peiris, Secretary to the President, Lalith Weeratunga and Sri Lanka’s Ambassador accredited to Ukraine, Udayanga Weeratunga.
Ukraine is the second largest country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by the Russian Federation to the east; Belarus to the north; Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary to the west; Romania and Moldova to the southwest; and the Black Sea and Sea of Azov to the south.
From 1923 to 1991 most parts of the country was a constituent republic within the USSR. In 24 August 1991, it gained independence from the Soviet Union. The city of Kiev is both the capital and the largest city. Ukraine is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Read Full Article >>