Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterrenoko stated that Moscow welcomed reports of the completion by Sri Lanka authorities of their operation against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) extremist organization, resulting in government forces restoring control over the entire territory of the country and freeing civilians held by LTTE as a "human shield".

The statement said, "The Russian side supports the fight of the Sri Lankan government against terrorism and separatism and for state sovereignty and territorial integrity. We hope that the end to the bloody armed conflict that lasted in Sri Lanka for more than a quarter century will be a guarantee of the establishment of an enduring peace, security and stability in the country.

"Moscow wishes the government and people of friendly Sri Lanka success in rapidly overcoming the consequences of the conflict and in achieving economic and social progress based on consensus among and respect for the rights of all the ethnic and religious groups inhabiting it".

Russia reiterate its readiness to strengthen further its cooperation with Sri Lanka both in a bilateral format and in regional and international organizations on counter terrorism and on other themes of mutual concern.

Meanwhile Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama welcomed the official reaction by the Government of the Russian Federation to the historic victory achieved by the Sri Lankan security forces against LTTE terrorists, resulting in the restoration of Government control over the entire territory of the country and the freeing of civilians held as a human shield by the LTTE.