President telephones Putin, seeks support to crisis-hit SL

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Russia President Vladimir Putin

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday called President of Russia, Vladimir Putin requesting an offer of credit support to import fuel to overcome the current economic challenges.

President Rajapaksa said in a tweet that he had a very productive telephone conversation with the President Putin and thanked him for the assistance extended by the Russian Government to overcome the challenges Sri Lanka faced in the past.

During their conversation, Sri Lankan President has also requested the Russian counterpart to resume Russian airline Aeroflot’s flight operations to Sri Lanka.

The two leaders have unanimously agreed that strengthening bilateral relations in sectors such as tourism, trade and culture is paramount in reinforcing the friendship between the two nations.

An official press release of the Russian President’s Office confirming the conversation said the two presidents discussed current matters of bilateral trade and economic cooperation, in particular, in energy, agriculture and transport.

“In the context of the 65th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries marked this year, the mutual disposition to further progressive development of traditionally friendly Russian-Sri Lankan ties was confirmed,” the statement said.

The leaders have agreed to continue contacts at various levels.