The legislator noted that parliamentary dialogue is a key component of the broader framework of bilateral relations.
Andrey Denisov, First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs and Head of the Federation Council Group for Cooperation with Asian Parliaments, met with Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation of Sri Lanka Bimal Rathnayake, who has also led the National People’s Power faction in the Sri Lankan Parliament since 2024. The meeting was also attended by member of the Federation Council Committee on Economic Policy Yevgeny Dietrich.
According to Andrey Denisov, relations between Russia and Sri Lanka have advanced successfully over several decades, and next year the two countries will mark the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.
“The two countries maintain an active political dialogue, with parliamentary engagement serving as an important element of overall bilateral ties. The Sri Lankan Parliament has established a Sri Lanka–Russia Parliamentary Friendship Association, and senators consider it essential to further strengthen parliamentary cooperation,” Andrey Denisov stated.
He emphasised that legislators aim to develop dialogue both bilaterally and at international forums, including within the Inter-Parliamentary Union. “We share Sri Lanka’s approach to aligning the Union’s agenda with the work of the United Nations,” Andrey Denisov noted.
Bimal Rathnayake reaffirmed the Sri Lankan parliamentarians’ commitment to expanding ties with Russia and provided an update on the activities of the Sri Lanka–Russia Parliamentary Friendship Association. He highlighted that Sri Lanka highly values the support provided by the Russian Federation in both humanitarian efforts and international affairs.
During the conversation, a broad range of issues spanning politics, economics, and education were discussed.
Yevgeny Dietrich provided Bimal Rathnayake with an overview of the 1st International Transport and Logistics Forum, scheduled to take place in St Petersburg on 1–3 April 2026.