On August 06, 2020, the Ambassador-Designate of Sri Lanka to Russia, Prof. M.D. Lamawansa presented the copy of his credentials to H.E. Igor V. Morgulov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Russian MFA, and officially assumed duties of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the Russian Federation. The discussion with the Deputy Foreign Minister which followed handing over credential papers was extremely productive.

Upon the completion of the official visit to the Russian MFA Ambassador M.D. Lamawansa received at his official residence high officials of Russian Ministry of Defence, MFA, Federal Services for Military Technical Cooperation, Rosoboronexport, Federal Services for Fisheries, Russia-Sri Lanka Friendship Society, Sri-Lankan community, social, trade, media and academia circles for a Glass of Champagne.
Speaking on the occasion, H.E. Prof. M.D. Lamawansa conveyed the greetings and best wishes of H.E. the President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa to H.E. the President Vladimir Putin and people of the Russian Federation. He highlighted that existing friendly ties between Russia – Sri Lanka have been built over the decades based on mutual respect and without any strings attached. The Ambassador spoke about the necessity to engage with Russia's regional cities and emphasized the importance of strengthening of dialogue in the spheres of common interest for cooperation including Energy, Trade, Tea, Tourism, Education, Science, Technology, Culture, Agriculture etc. H.E. Lamawansa assured that projects and programs initiated by his predecessors would be continued with, perhaps some adjustment to suite the present time.
The Chief Guest, H.E. Alexey Dedov, Deputy Director of second Department of Asia, in his speech stressed that "relations between the two countries have always been based on the principles of equality and trust, characterized by the absence of contradictions, an atmosphere of goodwill and mutual respect".
Ambassador Lamawansa arrived to the Russian Federation during the pandemic, nevertheless H.E. had the privilege to attend Victory Parade and Main Russian Naval Parade, and managed to pay official visit to St. Petersburg, held meetings with Government authorities, high officials of different agencies, university academics, media representatives etc prior to handing over the credentials, and has developed a good road map to follow for the benefit of the country.