He further stated that Ukraine’s unique location between Asia and Europe, between East and West as well as its access to the sea has bestowed a strategic significance on Ukraine throughout history.  

‘Your Excellency President Yanukovich has described Ukraine as a ‘bridge between East and West, an integral part of Europe and the former Soviet Union at the same time’. I am confident that these strengths will bring great progress and consolidate the unity of the Ukrainian nations’, President Rajapaksa further stated. 
 

Following is the full text of the speech: 
 

Let me at the outset thank your Excellency President Yanukovich for the words of welcome with which you have greeted me and my delegation.

Let me also convey to you, my deepest appreciation for the excellent arrangements you have made, and for the very warm reception accorded to us by you and by your Government since our arrival here in this beautiful city of Kiev. We are indeed grateful for your generous hospitality, which is a reflection of the bonds of friendship between our two countries. I am privileged to be the first Head of State of Sri Lanka to visit Ukraine.

The invitation extended to me by your Excellency President Yanukovich opens a new chapter in our bilateral relations. We have engaged in very fruitful discussions with each other this morning, and we have agreed to explore further avenues for mutually beneficial interaction and cooperation, for the future benefit of our people. 

Your Excellency, 

Distinguished Guests, 

The people of Ukraine have played an integral part in the events that have shaped the history of this important region, both historically and in the modern world. It is similar to the role played by Sri Lanka. As I have stated earlier, the world map cannot be drawn without including Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka figures even in the first world map drawn by Tolami. The triumph of freedom and democracy that transformed the world at the end of the 20^th century led to the Declaration of Sovereign Independence of Ukraine.

The political progress of independent Ukraine displays several significant factors to the world. They underline Ukraine’s strong commitment to preserve and strengthen these cherished pluralistic values of liberties. Mr. President, Your Excellencies, 

Sri Lanka too is a country committed to protect democracy and the friendship between nations. The Sri Lankan people won the democratic rights during the era when democracy was introduced to the world. Our political life has been characterised by entrenched democratic practices, and Sri Lanka is among the oldest democracies in Asia.

The country has passed more than sixty years of independence. Since then we have made commendable progress in economic, social and human development, and today we have reached the status of a middle-income country with an economic growth rate of 7%.

Yet, as you are aware, our progress has been achieved despite serious challenges.

The people of Sri Lanka were able to overcome the biggest obstacle to peace, freedom and progress that independent Sri Lanka has faced in the past. For almost 3 decades, a terrorist group banded in over 30 democracies world-wide - The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam suppressed the economic development and democratic freedoms of a large segment of the Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim people of the North and East of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan people not abandoning democracy freed the country having launched a great humanitarian operation in May last year. We are proud that the Sri Lanka people have been able to defeat the most ruthless terrorist organization without violating the human rights of the people. The Sri Lankan people are humbled in their satisfaction of being able to show the world the path to defeat terrorism.

I wish to thank the Government of Ukraine for the support extended to Sri Lanka in restoring peace and security.  

Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, 

The important social, political and economic reforms undertaken by Ukraine in the process of transmission have yielded positive results. In fact, when assessing the achievements of your Excellency’s first 100 days in office, your Excellency President Yanukovich remarked on the recovery of Ukraine’s GDP growth, its industrial production and its exports.

Your Excellency President Yanukovich has described Ukraine as a ‘bridge between East and West, an integral part of Europe and the former Soviet Union at the same time’. I am confident that these strengths will bring great progress and consolidate the unity of the Ukrainian nations. 

Mr. President, 

Since the end of conflict over one year ago Sri Lanka is also looking at the future with great confidence and hope. We have restored security in all parts of the country, and we have embarked on a major programme of reconstruction, economic, social and infrastructural development as well as national unity and reconciliation. We intend to transform Sri Lanka into one of the Asia’s foremost commercial centres and a regional trading hub, with a modern services sector.

At the same time, I too firmly share with your Excellency President Yanukovich, the vision that sustainable economic development must include social progress and justice for the people. Sri Lanka and Ukraine will work together for the greater progress of our countries and prosperity of our people. When we meet next it should be in a better developed and more peaceful world.

Let me propose a toast to the friendship between Sri Lanka and Ukraine!