Putin follows Xi: Congratulates President Ranil Wickremesinghe

• Rest of the world yet to wish Sri Lanka’s new Executive

Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended his well wishes to Sri Lanka’s new President Ranil Wickremesinghe on his election to the office of the Presidency.

He is the second global leader after China’s President Xi Jinping to extend wishes to Wickremesinghe whilst rest of the world haven’t, a development which has raised concerns within the Government and outside.

Russia’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka Yury Materiy called on Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday and conveyed congratulatory wishes of President Vladimir Putin to Wickremesinghe, the President’s Media Division said.

The Russian President through his congratulatory message to President Wickremesinghe has highlighted that Russia looks forward to strengthening the bilateral relationship between the two countries under his leadership.

The Russian President has also expressed his interest in working with his Sri Lankan counterpart to strengthen regional stability and security.

“The Russian-Sri Lankan relations are of a traditionally friendly nature. I am counting on your activities as Head of State to foster further development of constructive bilateral cooperation in various spheres for the benefit of our peoples and in the interest of strengthening regional stability and security,” President Putin said in his message.

“I wish you every success as well as good health and prosperity,” the Russian President added.