Sri Lanka inks agreement with Russia on sidelines of INTERPOLITEX-2019, Moscow

A Sri Lankan delegation headed by Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka Additional Secretary (Law and Order) Thusitha Wanigasingha participated at the INTERPOLITEX-2019 exhibition, which commenced on 23 October at the All-Russian Exhibition Centre in Moscow. INTERPOLITEX is the largest exhibition in Russia and one of the largest in Europe, dedicated to the means of protecting state and public security. 

The event was officially opened by Russian Federation Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov. Addressing the gathering, he indicated that INTERPOLITEX is an important platform for establishing contacts between the manufacturers of special-purpose equipment from Russia and other countries and different law-enforcement agencies that are engaged in fighting crime, countering terrorism, and protecting national security. Russian Federation Minister of Internal Affairs and General of Police Vladimir Kolokoltsev, in his welcoming speech to the guests and participants of the Exhibition, stated that INTERPOLITEX is a unique platform that demonstrates how science and practice can be integrated. “Annually the exhibition is visited by more than 20 thousand specialists from more than 60 countries. The rich business program contributes to the establishment of a constructive dialogue, development of international cooperation in the field of countering common challenges and threats,” said the Minister.

On the sidelines of INTERPOLITEX-2019, an agreement was signed on cooperation between the Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation.  Additional Secretary Thusitha Wanigasingha represented the Sri Lankan side at the signing ceremony. On the Russian side the agreement was signed by Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Igor Zubov, Full State Councillor of the Russian Federation, 1st class.

Within the framework of the INTERPOLITEX exhibition, the Sri Lankan delegation also met with Colonel General Vyacheslav Ovchinnikov, Advisor to Director General of the JSC Rosoboronexport, the only Russian state intermediary company, which exports military and dual-purpose products, services and technologies abroad. The representatives of JSC Rosoboronexport shared necessary information with Sri Lankan delegation. 

The delegation included Superintendent of Police Shantha Raththepitiya, Superintendent of Police Kelum Thilakarathne and Counsellor Mohamed Anas at the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Moscow.