May 11, Colombo: Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa congratulated new Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on his official inauguration as Head of state.

Sri Lankan Embassy in Moscow said that President Rajapaksa had a telephone conversation with President Medevedev.

“Both leaders gave a high assessment of the traditionally friendly ties that Russia and Sri Lanka have built up over more than 50 years of their diplomatic relations,” it said.

The Embassy statement also stated that the two Presidents expressed satisfaction at the close cooperation between the two countries on the international stage and said that one of the main priorities now is to develop their trade and economic relations.