Russia–Sri Lanka relations

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Russia–Sri Lankan relations
Map indicating locations of Russia and Sri Lanka

Russia

Sri Lanka

Russia–Sri Lanka relations (Russian: Российско-ланкийские отношения, Sinhala: රුසියා-ශ්‍රී ලංකා සබඳතා, Tamil: ரஷ்யா-இலங்கை உறவுகள்) are the bilateral relations between Russia and Sri Lanka.

Background

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, at St. Petersburg Economic Forum, in June 2011.

Soviet-era relations

The

construction materials plant near Colombo
all with the assistance of the Soviet Union.

Russian Federation relations

Political ties

In the UN, Russia has supported Sri Lanka in nearly every resolution brought forward against them. The most notable one was during the final stages of Sri Lanka's civil war in 2009 when European nations along with Canada and Mexico brought a ceasefire bill against the Sri Lanka Army. However, China and Russia vetoed that bill. Later on, another war crime bill that was tabled by Western nations against the Government of Sri Lanka was once again vetoed by Russia and China, along with several other nations.

Sri Lanka reacted in favor of Russia during the Ukrainian crisis, and said that the concerns of Russia were justifiable.[1]

In 2022, Sri Lanka abstained from both Resolution ES-11/1 and Resolution ES-11/4 UN votes on Russia.[2]

Military ties

Russia helped Sri Lanka to obtain Russian based weapons from several countries throughout the past 30 years. Examples of this would be

T-54/55 battle tanks, BTR-80 APC used by Sri Lanka Army
.

In 2017, Sri Lanka ordered Gepard-class frigate worth US$158.5 million for the Sri Lanka Navy.[3]

Economic ties

exports go to Russia. Sri Lankan teas account for 30% of Russia's tea market.[4] In 2016, there were 58,176 Russian tourist arrived in Sri Lanka. This number is gradually increasing in recent years.[5]

In December 2017 Russia imposed a temporary restriction on the imports of agriculture products from Sri Lanka including

See also

References

  1. ^ “While acknowledging the justifiable concerns of the Russian Federation, Sri Lanka also welcomes attempts at de-escalating the tension. Sri Lanka is confident that the parties concerned would be able to resolve the issues arising out of the recent developments, through a legitimate democratic process, enabling harmonious co-existence of the people of Ukraine.” - See more at: http://www.nation.lk/edition/breaking-news/item/26839-ukraine-crisis-lanka-regrets-presidents-unconstitutional-removal.html#sthash.888W7iUA.dpuf
  2. ^ "Sri Lanka abstains from UN vote on Russia". 13 October 2022.
  3. ^ "Cabinet approves purchase of Rs.24 billion Russian frigate on credit line: Sunday Times 01 Oct 2017".
  4. ^ Sri Lanka targets Russia with specialty teas Lanka Business Online - December 19, 2011.
  5. ^ TOURIST ARRIVALS BY COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE 2016
  6. ^ "Russian tea ban: The need to play nice with big powers - Opinion | Daily Mirror".
  7. ^ "Russia agrees to lift ban on tea imports from Sri Lanka - Xinhua | English.news.cn". Archived from the original on December 26, 2017.
  8. ^ "Ceylon tea ban lifted after Sri Lanka allows Russian asbestos | Economynext". economynext.com. Archived from the original on 2017-12-26.

External links

Diplomatic missions