Russian sailing ship "Nadezhda"

On June 14, within the series of events dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka, the Russian training three-masted ship Nadezhda entered the port of Colombo.

As guests of honor in the official greeting of the ship, the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy, Rear Admiral Simirivan Ranasinghe, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Sri Lanka, Alexander Karchava, took part. The military attaché at the Russian Embassy in Sri Lanka, together with the Rossotrudnichestvo representative office, organized a photo exhibition onboard, dedicated to the history of bilateral relations.

The event was attended by Sri Lankan Navy officers and cadets of local Navy educational institutions, activists of the Sri Lanka - Russia friendship society and the Association of Sri Lankan graduates from the socialist countries, the employees of the Russian Embassy, Russian compatriots, and media representatives.

According to the captain of the ship Sergei Vorobyov, 172 people arrived on board the "Nadezhda" in Sri Lanka: 46 people - command staff, 120 - cadets of Russian naval schools and 5 - practice leaders.
"The arrival of "Nadezhda" to the port of Colombo is one of the solemn events dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, which is celebrated this year. I am sure that this event will remain in the memory of Russian sailors and the Sri Lankan people for a long time, since the Russian flag carried by this ship is a flag of friendship that has been repeatedly confirmed over the past 60 years", Russian Ambassador Alexander Karchava said addressing the audience.

Russian Ambassador Alexander Karchava said addressing the audience

The Chief of Staff of the Navy of Sri Lanka, Rear Admiral Simirivan Ranasinghe expressed gratitude to the Russian side for organizing the event, which is perceived here as a real gesture of friendship. "The people of Sri Lanka have great respect for Russia, here we love and know Russian literature, music, ballet. My generation grew up on the books "Mother" by M. Gorky and "How the Steel Was Casted" by A. Ostrovsky. Russia is the country that, in the difficult times for us, as they say, did not give us the fish, but taught us how to use the fishing rod. This is a real friendship, and I am grateful to Russia for this", he said.
"I am convinced that being on board such a ship, sailing along the coast of Sri Lanka and further to the Indian Ocean is a great opportunity for Russian cadets to get a living experience, to become real sailors," he added.

Address by Rear Admiral S.Ranasinghe

Assistant captain of the ship for safety and training Alexander Tsymbal told about the frigate, its history and design features. "Nadezhda" was built in Poland in 1991 according to the prototype of sailing ships of the beginning of the XX century. However, its "birthday" frigate celebrates June 5, 1992 - then on the ship was raised the Russian flag, "- he said.
"The ship left Kaliningrad on April 20 and now, almost over two months later, reached the shores of Sri Lanka. This is the first call of a ship to the port on its way from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok",  said Alexander Tsymbal.

In conclusion, the cadets showed the guests of the ship an exemplary setting of the sail, and also performed with an improvised concert.
"Nadezhda" will stay in the port of Colombo until June 17.

The improvised concert

Russian sailing ship "Nadezhda" at the port of Colombo