Moscow to compensate families of Sri Lankan forces killed in Russia

April 3, Colombo, (Daily Mirror) - Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrey Rudenko has agreed to initiate the necessary procedures to provide compensation for the families of Sri Lankan security forces personnel who lost their lives while in Russia. 

This commitment was made during a high-level diplomatic meeting held yesterday at the Ministry premises with Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, Vijitha Herath. 

The discussion underscored a deep-rooted historical friendship between the two nations, with Deputy Minister Rudenko noting that Russian visitors frequently praise Sri Lanka as an exceptionally beautiful country with a deeply hospitable population. He reaffirmed Russia’s intent to further strengthen these long-standing ties as a reliable and perennial partner.

Recognizing the pressing economic and energy challenges currently facing the island, the Russian delegation pledged immediate and practical support. Most notably, Deputy Minister Rudenko promised that Russia would take swift action to provide essential oil supplies to help stabilize Sri Lanka’s energy sector. 

In addition to fuel assistance, the Russian government committed to encouraging new private sector investments and facilitating a higher influx of Russian tourists to bolster the local economy. The Deputy Minister emphasized that Russia stands ready to stand by Sri Lanka whenever assistance is required across various sectors, reflecting a partnership built on mutual respect and support.

Minister Vijitha Herath expressed the Sri Lankan government’s profound appreciation for Russia’s timely intervention during this period of critical need. He highlighted that with nearly 70 years of formal diplomatic relations, the current moment presents an ideal opportunity to elevate the bilateral partnership to a more robust level. To secure this future, Minister Herath announced that Sri Lanka intends to enter into several long-term trade agreements with Russia in the coming months.