On April 8, 2022, a delegation of the Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic (DSR) of Sri Lanka to the Russian Federation (RF) headed/led by Her Excellency Professor Janitha A. Liyanage, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, visited Kursk State Medical University (KSMU).
KSMU has a long history of productive cooperation’s with the DSR of Sri Lanka. The year 1997 marked the first Sri Lankan’s became a student of KSMU. Since then, there are 772 of Sri Lankan graduated from this University among 4181 international graduates from 72 countries. Currently there are 241 citizens of Sri Lanka among 2324 total of international students at the University.
During the visit, Her Excellency Professor Janita A. Liyanage met with the Governor of the Kursk Region; R.V. Starovoit.
Within the framework of the visit, the Embassy delegation met with the Rector of KSMU, Honored Doctor of Russian Federation, Doctor of Medical Science, Member of the Kursk Regional Duma of the VII convocation, Honorary Citizen of Kursk, Professor V.A. Lazarenko. The prospects for the development of bilateral cooperation between KSMU and the Embassy of Sri Lanka to RF in increasing the number of students from Sri Lanka, bilateral academic mobility of students and teachers and KSMU branch establishment in Sri Lanka are among the agendas discussed during the meeting. Her Excellency Professor Janitha A. Liyanage noticed the high quality and professional level of international student training’s and in accordance with the international standards of education. The Ambassador also appreciated the university’s staff for their extra effort and special attention to help and support international students during the difficult period of the pandemic.
During the visit, Her Excellency Professor Janita A. Liyanage also met with the Governor of the Kursk Region; R.V. Starovoit. The parties discussed the prospects of cooperation in the economic and educational spheres. Her Excellency mentioned the high level of equipment of the university and expressed how the favorable environment created in the region are comfortable for studying and living for the foreign citizens. “Russia and Sri Lanka have always been great friends, and there are no circumstances that could break this friendship,”- stressed the Ambassador.
The programme of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary’s visit also included a lunch with Sri Lankan KSMU students which organized by the Sri Lankan Students Community of KSMU, with the participation of the Honorary Consul of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in Kursk, Director of the International Medical Institute of KSMU; Associate Professor M.T. Chahine. Sri Lankan students taking this opportunity to communicate with the Ambassador and address all their questions.
In honor of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the DSR of Sri Lanka to the RF, Professor Janita A. Liyanage, and on the eve of the Sinhalese and Tamil New Year ; 09.04.2022, a long-awaited and unforgettable celebration took place at KSMU the “Sri Lankan Night 2022” a celebration of Sri Lankan culture. Her Excellency blessed the opening of the ceremony and took the opportunity to congratulated the creative teams of students from Sri Lanka at KSMU with a well-deserved victory at the annual festival “Student Spring of the Nightingale Region 2022”, which unites more than 10 thousand representatives of educational organizations of the region and various races and ethnicities.
KSMU students with Ambassador at the Anatomy department
The students from Sri Lanka united as a nation and were tirelessly preparing for the performance in order to introduce their culture and traditions to the guests and audiences. Absolutely different genre were presented traditional folk dance, modern choreography and phenomenal body movements and synchronization. All were impressed by the beauty of the performances.
The international student community of KSMU strengthens international links, as well as develops interethnic and intercultural cooperation. Students participating in mass cultural, sports and recreational events at the university level and at the regional level. Their success contributes to the university traditions of being the best.
At the end of the meeting, Professor Janita A. Liyanage sincerely appreciated the administration of KSMU for the warm reception, and also indicated her plans for the development of a new round of mutually beneficial relations between the universities of the two countries. Representatives of the delegation expressed interest in opening a branch of the Kursk State Medical University in Sri Lanka and organising academic mobility. Her Excellency also announced her intention to open a business center in the region, in which a Sri Lankan traditional wellness center will be at the premises. In addition, Her Excellency shared her long-term plans to open a Sri Lanka Trade House in Kursk together with the Honorary Consul of the DSR Sri Lanka in Kursk, Associate Professor M.T. Chahine.
We thank Dr. Lasantha Amarakoon The Chairman of REC Campus for coordinating with Sunday observer and providing this information.