Colombo, Dec 5 (IANS) Russia on Monday said it will increase trade and economic ties with Sri Lanka as the two countries celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations.

Russia's Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alexander Karchava said that Colombo and Moscow have set up a joint committee on trade and economy and science and technology and the

first committee meeting took place in January this year.

"The second meeting will be held in February 2017, when both countries are expected to sign an agreement on fisheries," Xinhua news agency quoted Karchava.

The Russian envoy said Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena would visit Russia next year and would hold discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 23.

"We value this visit very highly because this will be the first visit by any Sri Lankan leader in several decades," Karchava said.

Sri Lanka's Parliament Speaker Karu Jayasuriya will also visit Russia in June or July.

"2017 is very promising in strengthening bilateral relations due to these very high level visits. We look forward to these important visits," Karchava said.