Sri
Lanka is being criticised for Human Rights violations by those who are not in
the least perfect in that area themselves, new Russian envoy in Sri Lanka
Alexander A Karchava said.
“Sometimes
people point at a speck in the others eye without knowing a whole lot about the
board in theirs,” he said.
In an
exclusive interview with the Daily News, the envoy said developed countries in
the West can suggest ideas to improve the situation in Sri Lanka.
He said
pressurising Sri Lanka to implement what they presumed to be right is a
different thing -- it is a clear interference in Sri Lanka’s internal
affairs.Karchava said Sri Lanka has made tremendous progress in the field of
clearing mines in areas held by terrorists.
He said
developed countries, especially in the West, can provide their expertise in a
friendly manner. “Forcing other countries to implement what they presume to be
right is an interference in the internal affairs of such countries,” the envoy
said. The Russian ambassador said countries such as Cambodia have not fully
de-mined thought the war ended in the mid 70s.
“Sri
Lanka managed to do a lot in three years and their achievement in the field of
resettlement is commendable,” he said.
Karchava
said the two countries have not harnessed the full potential of relations
though this year marks the completion of 55 years since the establishment of
diplomatic relations.
“We
know that potential is huge but we are not very much satisfied to what extent
we are using this potential,” he said.
The
envoy said Russia can extend cooperation in the field of power and energy.
He said
his country has the most advanced technology in the construction of nuclear of
power in contrast to many other countries. He said Russia is helping construct
power plants in many countries including Vietnam. “We signed an agreement to
build a nuclear power plant in Vietnam too,” he said. “We are the biggest
importer of Sri Lankan tea, but the figures of bilateral trade remained low.”
The
envoy said bilateral trade volume was only US$ 500 million.
He said
he noticed many development activities taking place in the Colombo city.
“I
noticed a lot of construction, refurbishment and infrastructure development
activities in the Colombo city,” he said.
Karchava
was of the view that Sri Lanka has launched full throttle development gradually
with the end of war.
He said
the two countries have closer ties in the field of education and hundreds of
Sri Lankans studied in universities in Russia in the Soviet Union and the
Russian Federation.
“I met
over 200 Sri Lankans that graduated in Russia,” he said.
Karchava
said Russia can do more to boost the tourism sector too.
“We
noticed the increase of Russian students by 40 percent, and 21,000 tourists
visited Sri Lanka in 2011,” he said.
