On August 13, 2020 Prof. M.D. Lamawansa, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the Russian Federation visited Moscow City Clinical Hospital 52 in order to hand over Ceylon tea in gratitude to all doctors and medical staff of the hospital and sincere appreciation of their invaluable efforts in combating COVID-19.

The clinical hospital has over 65 years of history as a multidisciplinary center with the key Centers of Competences including Scientific Center for Nephrology and Transplanted Kidney Pathology, Pain Management Clinic, Allergy and Immunology Center, Hematology Center, Maternity Care, and ECMO center.
When the pandemic started the Hospital was converted to a modern infectious disease hospital which has already treated about 7000 COVID patients since April 2020.
Ambassador Prof. M. D. Lamawansa, accompanied by Mr. Mohamed Anas, Deputy HOM, Ms. Chathurika Perera, Second Secretary (Commercial), Ms. Olesya Romanova, Personal Assistant to H. E. the Ambassador and Ms. Anastasia Kovalenko, Tea Promotion Assistant, were received by Prof. Maryana A. Lysenko, Chief Physician of the Hospital, Prof. Vladimir Vtorenko, President of the Hospital, and Ms. Tatiana Kirillova, International Affairs Department of the Hospital.
During the meeting Prof. M.D. Lamawansa and Dr. Lysenko discussed the current situation with coronavirus, arising issues and key measures taken to contain the infection in Russia and Sri Lanka. Prof. M.D. Lamawansa and Dr. Lysenko underscored possible areas for future cooperation including Medical Tourism, Education and Experience Exchange, Scientific Collaboration and Drug Clinical Trials.
On behalf of the Hospital Administration, medical personnel and the Fund for Promotion of Hospital 52, Dr. Maryana A. Lysenko presented Ambassador Prof. M.D. Lamawansa with a framed note of Gratitude for the special gift of Ceylon tea and to mark the commencement of cooperation between the Embassy and the Fund. The note says that coronavirus pandemic is a global problem and only international solidarity, open and constant cooperation of governments and ordinary people of all countries of the world can stop the spread of the disease and return to normal life.
Taking the Embassy's initiative endorsed by the Sri Lanka Tea Board, 12 leading Ceylon tea exporters to Russia contributed to this generous donation: Basilur Tea Export (PVT.) LTD (Brand name 'BASILUR'); Unitrades (PVT.) LTD ('UNITEA'); Empire Teas (PVT.) Ltd ('EMPIRE TEAS', 'HYSON'); Venture Tea (PVT.) Ltd ('VENTURE TEAS'); Ceylon Fresh Teas (PVT.) Ltd ('ZYLANICA'); Regency Teas (PVT.) Ltd ('HYLEYS'); Imperial Tea Exports (PVT.) Ltd ('IMPERIAL'); Maltras International ('BATTLER'); MJF Teas (PVT.) Ltd ('DILMAH'); Akbar Brothers (PVT.) Ltd ('AKBAR BROTHERS'); Leoste Tea ('LEOSTE TEA'); Mabroc Teas (PVT.) Ltd (RUBIN TEA TRADE HOUSE – Saint Petersburg; Jafferjee Brothers ('JAF TEA')