English with a Sward

Given below without comment is a media statement issued by the Presidential Media Division:

“President Maithripala Sirisena who is on a three day State visit to Russia held bilateral discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin today (March 23).

“During this bilateral meeting Russian President presented a significant gift to President Maithripala Sirisena symbolising the close relationship between the two countries.

“This special gift was a royal sward of Kandy era of the 19th century. This sward had been brought to England in 1906 and later bought by Russia at an archaelogical artefact auction named Sotheby in England.”