President Rajapaksa presented a Buddha statue to Mr. Ilyumzhinov whose country is the only state in Europe practicing Buddhism as the dominant religion.

Venerable Dharanagama Kusaladhamma Thero, Ven. Dickwella Upathissa Thero, External Affairs Minister Prof. G L Peiris, Russian Ambassador Vladimir P. Mikhaylov, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Foreign Secretary Karunaratne Amunugama were also present at the occasion.