On August 23, 2020 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the Russian Federation Prof. M.D. Lamawansa accompanied by Defence Attache Group Capt Uditha Piyasena, visited the Patriot Congress and Exhibition Centre and Alabino range for the official opening ceremony of the 6th Military-Technical Forum Army-2020 and International Army Games 2020 that are held simultaneously this year.

 

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic around the world, delegations from more than 30 countries came to demonstrate their professional skills and will to win in the competition. Six parallel international competitions will be held in Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, and Russia. 1500 enterprises representing a large-scale review of the achievements of the Russian defense industry, with more than 28 thousand units of modern weapon and advanced military equipment on display.

Ambassador Prof. M.D. Lamawansa exchanged greetings with Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy Admiral Nikolay Evmenov and Deputy Minister of Defence of Russia Colonel General Alexander Fomin in charge of International Military Cooperation.
The Head of Sri Lankan Mission and the Defence Attache participated in the Plenary Session on "Main Directions of development of international military-technical cooperation of the Russian Federation with foreign states" lead by Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Yuri Borisov.
The inaugural ceremony of the 6th International Army Forum and Army Games 2020 was opened by a welcome video-address by the President of the Russian Federation H.E Vladimir Putin who underlined that Forum brings together leading Russian and foreign military experts and facilitates partnerships between the defence agencies from different countries. The Russian President emphasized that Army Games competitions contribute to the strengthening of peace and mutual understanding between countries and nations. "We understand well how important it is to build trust-based relations in the field of security and military-technical cooperation, to seek answers to emerging challenges together", - stressed President Putin.
"Our defence industry provides not only the Armed Forces with everything they need successfully, but also increases the export of high-tech military products," -said Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin at the opening ceremony. Prime Minister spoke about the diversification of the military industrial complex with civil-purposes medical equipment, intelligent transport Safe City system, equipment for the needs of urban utilities and agriculture. The Prime Minister underscored that "A powerful army is not only about aircraft and tanks, but people. They are our main asset!"
Russian Defence Minister, General of the Army Sergey Shoigu declared the 6th Military Technical Forum Army-2020 and International Army Games 2020 open.
Representing the country Ambassador Prof. M.D. Lamawansa took part in the official luncheon hosted by the Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation. In the framework of the Forum, on Day 1, Ambassador M.D. Lamawansa visited the stall of the Military University of the Russian Ministry of Defence, and had a meeting with Russian Helicopters Holding, a leading player in the global helicopter industry.
During the visit to the Alabino range, the venue of the International Army Games, the multi-faceted military 'Olympics', Ambassador Prof. M.D. Lamawansa and the Embassy team attended the demonstration performance of T-34 tank, a Soviet tank famously deployed during World War II.

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