I have decided to address the nation today in the context of the recent political developments in the country, I thought it was essential to clarify the path we have to take in the future and to describe the reasons and the background, why the current political change was necessary.

A three member delegation headed by Hon. Nalin Bandara, Deputy Minister of Public Administration & Management and Law and Order visited Russia to participate at the 22nd International Homeland Security Exhibition "Interpolitex 2018" held from 23 – 26 October 2018 in Moscow, Russian Federation.

October 16th was marked by the first visit Ambassador Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka and Madame Sanja Jayatilleka paid to Russia's academic community, meeting with the Ambassador's long-standing contacts at the Russian Centre for Policy Studies, known to the international community as PIR CENTRE.

Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy Mr. Merille Goonetilleke was a panelist of the following sessions during the REW. Speeches made by the Additional Secretary on the following topics.

Energy Transition in Asia – Pacific: New Challenges and opportunities for Regional Cooperation

LNG for Asia – Pacific: Potential for Cooperation and Sustainable Development

Today, on October 11, 2018, Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka presented his Letters of Credence in a solemn ceremony bringing together the newly-appointed Ambassadors of 23 countries in the magnificent St. Alexandre's Hall of the Kremlin. The credentials were received by H. E. Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, accompanied by H. E. Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Yury Ushakov, Foreign Policy Advisor to the Russian President.

Today, 05 October 2018 Mr. Vajira Dassanayake, Director General of the Petroleum Resources Development Secretariat met with H.E. Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Russian Federation in the Embassy Premises and discussed matters relating to the Hydrocarbon exploration activities in Sri Lanka.