Sri Lankan delegation headed by Thusitha Wanigasingha, Additional Secretary, (Law & Order) participated at the INTERPOLITEX-2019 exhibition, which commenced on October 23, 2019, at the All-Russian Exhibition Centre in Moscow. "INTERPOLITEX" is the largest exhibition in Russia and one of the largest in Europe, dedicated to the means of protecting state and public security.
The event was officially opened by Yuri Borisov, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation. Addressing the gathering, he indicated that "INTERPOLITEX" is an important platform for establishing contacts between the manufacturers of special-purpose equipment from Russia and other countries and different law-enforcement agencies that are engaged in fighting crime, countering terrorism, and protecting national security. General of Police Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Minister of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, in his welcoming speech to the guests and participants of the Exhibition, stated that "INTERPOLITEX" is a unique platform that demonstrates how science and practice can be integrated. "Annually the exhibition is visited by more than 20 thousand specialists from more than 60 countries. The rich business program contributes to the establishment of a constructive dialogue, development of international cooperation in the field of countering common challenges and threats," said the Minister.
On the sidelines of INTERPOLITEX-2019, an agreement was signed on Cooperation between the Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation. Mr. Thusitha Wanigasingha, Additional Secretary (Law & Order), Ministry of Defence, represented the Sri Lankan side at the signing ceremony. On the Russian side the agreement was signed by Igor Zubov, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Full State Councilor of the Russian Federation, 1st class.
Within the framework of the INTERPOLITEX exhibition, the Sri Lankan delegation also met with Colonel General Vyacheslav Ovchinnikov, Adviser to Director General of the JSC Rosoboronexport, the only Russian state intermediary company, which exports military and dual-purpose products, services and technologies abroad. The representatives of JSC Rosoboronexport shared necessary information with Sri Lankan delegation.
The delegation included Mr. Shantha Raththepitiya SP, Mr. Kelum Thilakarathne, SP and Mr. Mohamed Anas, Counsellor at the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Moscow.