Published on - 6/24/2005
Mr. Alexey Shebarshin, Ambassador for Russia with Mr. Alexander N. Komissarov, Second Secretary for the Russian Embassy was recently on tour to the Jaffna peninsula in order to take account of the ground realities.
On their arrival at the Palaly Air Port, the diplomats were received by Major General Sunil Tennakoon, Commander Security Forces, Jaffna and were later conducted to the Headquarters premises.
A special briefing by the Major General Tennakoon at his Headquarters enabled the delegates to receive an overall picture of the current security developments vis a vis ordinary civilians in the Jaffna Peninsula.
The delegation afterwards paid visits to tsunami-affected Manlkadu village, its transit camp for victims, and adjoining coastal belt areas and its Forward Defence Line after Brigadier S.G. Karunaratne, Commander 52 Division received visiting delegates and accompanied them after giving a brief account of various developments in the area with special reference to the ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts meant for tsunami victims.Delegates made an observation tour to Muhamalai Entry/Exit point under 55 Division and spoke to a section of the passengers and others on duty at the point. During this stopover at Muhamalai, the delegates were received by Colonel A. M Perera, representing 55 Divisional Commander, who was away at that point of time.
Those Russian diplomats, as part of their itinerary visited 51 Divisional Headquarters to be received by Colonel S. Ranasinghe, Brigade Commander, 512 Brigade. The visiting delegates also made a point to pay a visit to Jaffna library, Jaffna Fort and places of historical importance.
During their last leg of the visit, the following day the diplomats toured Thondamanaru bridge area under construction and met Commander D.W.A.S. Dissanayake Deputy Commander, North Naval Command in the Northern Naval Headquarters, Kankesanturai. The visit came to an end with their tours to historic sites at Kantharodai, Keeramallai and Nallur Hindu temple.
