Sri Lanka should join the Russia-led BRICS: Ranil

Colombo, June 20 (Daily Mirror) - Sri Lanka should join the Russia-led BRICS as it has become a grouping to be reckoned with, Former President who is on a visit to Russia said.

“I don’t think Russia is isolated. It deals with many countries in the world, including our part of the world. Russia’s connections keep growing. BRICS became a large group. A group which is larger than any other economic grouping. It consists of countries in our part of the world. I thought we should apply for its membership during my regime. Already, there are newer members in BRICS, such as Iran and Indonesia. Some others have also applied. It is an important group both politically and economically. It can represent countries such as Sri Lanka, which is not a part of the developed Western group of nations.

“Non-Aligned Movement has collapsed. I think BRICS will close that gap,” Mr. Wickremesinghe added, speaking on the sidelines of the Valdai Discussion Club Forum in St. Petersburg.

The BRICS group currently consists of 11 member countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. Originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, the group expanded to include South Africa in 2010. Recently, BRICS has further expanded to include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, with some countries like Argentina and Indonesia also invited to join.