Congratulatory Message by H.E. Alexander Karchava Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Sri Lanka on the occasion of awarding Dr. Saman Weerasinghe with the Order of Honour

Being the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Sri Lanka it gives me immense pleasure to congratulate on this very day – the National Day of Russia – D r. Saman Weerasinghe, Vice President of the Russia – Sri Lanka Friendship Society and General Secretary of the Sri Lanka – Russia Friendship Society, with the Order of Honour that was awarded to him by the decree of His Excellency Mr. Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation.

Dr. Saman Weerasinghe is well known in Russia as close friend and reliable partner. He first stepped on Russian soil in 1983 as a student when he entered the Moscow State Medical Academy to study for a degree in medicine on a scholarship granted by the government of the USSR. On successful completion of his studies he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Medicine with first class hononrs from the said university.

In Russia Dr. Saman Weerasinghe not only received high-level education, but got many real friends and since that time became an advocate of stronger Russia – Sri Lanka cooperation. He has been actively engaged in a multitude of functions in professional, educational, social and cultural spheres, holding high and responsible positions and winning a lot of accreditations and awards.

Dr. Saman Weerasinghe is the Vice President of the Russia – Sri Lanka Friendship Society and the General Secretary of the Sri Lanka – Russia Friendship Society, he fulfils his services in fostering and strengthening relations between our two countries in different spheres. At present he is the Advisor of H.E. President of Sri Lanka and the Chairman of some multinational and local companies. Dr. Saman has been an active participant in the development of economic and cultural activities between Russia and Sri Lanka for the past two decades.

Dr. Saman Weerasinghe has been always associating himself with Russia and today we see that his merits have been acknowledged fully by President and the Gover nment of the Russian Federation with decorating him one of the highest state awards, which a foreign citizen may receive – the Order of Honour.

Let me take this opportunity to wish Dr. Saman Weerasinghe all success in his further activities aimed at strengthening international position of Sri Lanka and promoting its close cooperation with Russia.