Sri Lanka not subservient to any country: Mahinda

President Maithripala Sirisena’s official visit to Russia shows that Sri Lanka is not subservient to any country, Skills Development and Vocational Development Training Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said.

He also said that President Sirisena had been officially invited by a number of Western countries as well, including Russia President Vladimir Putin is considered to be one of the most powerful leaders in the World.

Minister Samarasinghe was speaking at a press conference at the Information Department Auditorium yesterday.

The Minister said that the official invitation from Russia within two years of his election victory was a personal achievement of the President President. The President’s visit to Russia is the first by a Sri Lankan Head of State to that country since former Prime Minister Sirimao Bandaranaike’s visit 43 years ago,” Minister Samarasinghe said.

He also said that President Maithripala Sirisena has been invited by many Western as well as Eastern countries due to his diplomatic skills.” The President has been accepted by the entire world because of his decision to curtail his own power of Executive Presidency, setting up of independent commissions, making the judiciary independent etc.” Minister Samarasinghe said.

He also said that the Ministers who accompanied the President on his State visit to Russia had the opportunity to interact with the Russian President for about two and half hours. He added during the discussions there were many suggestions and suggestions made that would benefit the country immensely.

“The President also appointed a Committee on his arrival to Sri Lanka to follow up the proposals made during the discussions,” Minister Samarasinghe said. “There was a proposal to initiate a direct flight from China to Sri Lanka during the discussions. There were discussions to encourage more Russian tourists to visit Sri Lanka”.