Embassy of Sri Lanka in Moscow

27/08/2026

Sri Lanka Makes Strong Presence at International Buddhist Forum in Tuva, Russia

Sri Lanka participated and made a significant contribution at the International Buddhist Forum held in Tuva, Russian Federation, from 18 to 21 August 2026. The delegation was headed by Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Minister of Culture of Sri Lanka, together with senior officials of the Ministry of Culture and the Buddhist clergy.

Minister Senevi addressing both the Opening Ceremony and the Plenary Session, highlighted Sri Lanka’s historic role in preserving, practicing and disseminating Buddhism and its position as one of the foremost custodians of the Theravada Buddhist tradition.

Delegates comprising Mr. Gamini Senerathne, Commissioner General of the Department of Buddhist Affairs; Mr Saman Peramuna, Senior Lecturer at the Pali and Buddhist University; Dr. Ranjana Senasinghe, Editor-in-Chief of the National Encyclopedia, and Mihiravi Dissanayake, Counsellor of the Embassy also participated in a series of panel discussions addressing diverse dimensions of Buddhism and its contemporary relevance. Discussions covered Buddhism and ecology, Buddhist tourism, the translation of Buddhist texts in promoting Buddhist teachings and doctrine, and the architectural heritage and distinctive features of Buddhist temples. The Forum offered an important platform to strengthen Sri Lanka’s engagement with the Russian Buddhist community and other international Buddhist institutions, while opening new avenues for cooperation in the fields of culture, Buddhist studies, religious heritage, translation, education, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

The Buddhist clergy included Ven. Rajangane Piyadassi Thero, Deputy Head of the Pepiliyana Sunethradevi Pirivena, Ven. Rakwane Gnanaseeha thero, Abbot of Chittaviveka Buddhist Monestry, and the clergy from the Jetavana Buddhist Monastery. They participated in discussions on Buddhism and consciousness, Buddhist traditional medicine, Buddhism and State relations in Sri Lanka which further enabled Sri Lanka to share its perspective on these themes and strengthen international dialogue and understanding. Short meditation sessions and dhamma discourses were also conducted.

The Forum was looked upon as an important platform to showcase the country’s rich Buddhist heritage and its continuing contribution to Buddhist scholarship, religious practice, cultural preservation and international Buddhist cooperation. Sri Lanka’s experience in preserving its ancient Buddhist traditions and heritage, including its vast corpus of Buddhist literature and architectural legacy, generated considerable interest among participants and reinforced Sri Lanka standing as a key custodian and living centre of Theravada Buddhism in the world.

The International Buddhist Forum, held under the patronage of President Vladimir Putin, is a flagship annual gathering rotated among Russia's three traditionally Buddhist regions - Buryatia, Kalmykia and Tuva - bringing together representatives of Buddhism from around the world. More than 600 delegates from Russia, Mongolia, China, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Cambodia, Bhutan, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Japan, Cameroon and other countries attended, including religious leaders from the Buddhist and Hindu communities, diplomats, business representatives, scholars and researchers. Russia, with its profound role as a cornerstone of Eurasian culture, has long served as a bridge between the East and the West.

On the sidelines of the Forum, Minister Senevi held a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Tuva, Viktor Chikzhit, where the two sides discussed avenues for strengthening cultural and religious ties between Sri Lanka and Tuva, including possible exchanges between monastic and academic institutions.

Minister Senevi also gave interviews to TASS and Russia-24, in which he spoke about the role of Buddhism in preserving Sri Lanka’s Cultural identity and his proposal on “New Literary Cultural Triangle” framework, which is an initiative for broader Eurasian cultural cooperation.

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation looks forward to continued collaboration in future editions of this important platform for Buddhist dialogue and to facilitate Sri Lanka’s active participation in the next year’s Forum.

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24/08/2026

Sri Lanka and Russia Explore New Initiatives to Deepen Cultural Cooperation

The Minister of Culture of Sri Lanka, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, undertook a visit to Moscow and held discussions with the Deputy Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, Mr. Andrei Malyshev, with a view to further strengthening the longstanding cultural ties and people-to-people relations between Sri Lanka and Russia.

The meeting focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in the field of culture and identifying new and innovative initiatives that could further deepen the close friendship between the two countries. Both sides underscored the importance of culture as a bridge between peoples and as an important dimension of the broader Sri Lanka–Russia relationship.

A key proposal discussed was the joint celebration of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Russia, through the implementation of 70 cultural initiatives during the anniversary year. The proposed initiatives would encompass a broad range of areas, including literature, performing arts, visual arts, heritage, museums, film, music, education, Buddhist cultural heritage and exchanges between cultural institutions.

Minister Senevi also proposed the introduction of a “New Literary Cultural Triangle” framework, envisaged as an intellectual and spiritual geography connecting historic epicentres of world literature and humanism. The initiative seeks to create a platform for dialogue and cultural exchange among these great literary and civilisational traditions, while providing a new dimension for broader Eurasian cultural cooperation.

During the discussions, both sides agreed in principle on the signing of a Cultural Cooperation Agreement between Sri Lanka and the Russian Federation. The proposed agreement is expected to provide a strengthened institutional framework for expanding cooperation and facilitating regular exchanges in the cultural sphere.

In order to mark the occasion of the visit of the Minister of Culture of Sri Lanka to Moscow, Ambassador Shobini Gunasekera hosted an official luncheon at the Residence which was held also in the gracious presence of Mr. Mikhail Shvydkoy, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for International Cultural Cooperation. The luncheon was attended by several distinguished guests, including senior representatives of Russia’s cultural institutions, Mr. Vladimir Poloskov Secretary General of the Russia–Sri Lanka Friendship Society, Mr. Dmitry Likhanov, President of the Children Charity Foundation, Mr. Sanath Abeysekera Sri Lankan Architect and representatives of the Russian State Library. The occasion provided a valuable opportunity to exchange views on strengthening cultural cooperation and further deepening the longstanding bonds of friendship between Sri Lanka and the Russian Federation.

The discussions reflected the shared commitment of Sri Lanka and Russia to further develop their historic relationship through culture, creativity, literature and civilizational dialogue. The proposed 70 cultural initiatives and the New Literary Cultural Triangle are envisaged as flagship initiatives that could give added impetus to the celebration of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations and contribute to taking bilateral cultural relations to a new level.

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Moscow continues to work closely with the relevant Russian authorities and institutions to translate these proposals into concrete programmes and projects in the lead-up to the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Russia.

Ms Mihiravi Dissanyke, Counsellor of the Embassy and Dr. Ranjana Senasinghe, Editor in Chief of the National Encyclopedia were also associated at these events.

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21/08/2026

Defence Services Command and Staff College visit to Russia

A delegation of Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) of Sri Lanka visited Moscow and St. Petersburg on a study tour from 27 July to 09 August 2026 as part of their curriculum, headed by the Commandant of the DSCSC Major General KW Jayaweera USP psc along with three directing staff members and twelve course participants of the course number 20.

During their visit to Moscow, the delegation visited the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, Main Temple of the Armed Forces and the “Patriotic Park” museum complex, International Mine Action Centre of the Military Engineering Academy, the Military academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and the “Boiling Point” Moscow Public Headquarters which is specialized on biotechnologies, commercial space technologies, and drones.

Following Moscow, they visited St. Petersburg and engaged with the Airspace Academy named after A.F. Mozhaiskiy, the Military Scientific and Research Centre of the Navy “Naval Academy named after Fleet Admiral of the Soviet Union N.G. Kuznetsov, Central Navy Museum named after Peter the Great – Battleship of Military Honour “Aurora”, Naval Polytechnic Institute of the Military Scientific and Research Centre of the Navy “Naval Academy” and several other historical sites in St. Petersburg.

The study tour provided an opportunity for the participating officers to gain insights into Russia’s defence, security and strategic environment, while strengthening professional and institutional ties between the defence establishment of Sri Lanka and the Russian Federation.

The visit was coordinated by the defence section of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Moscow and the delegation paid a call at the Embassy and handed over a memento to mark the event. 🇱🇰 🇷🇺

20/08/2026

Sri Lanka Joins the Global Conversation on Urban Mobility at Moscow's International Transport Summit

Sri Lanka was represented at the V International Transport Summit in Moscow by the Colombo Municipal Council. A two-member delegation namely Mrs. Hamza Sithi Nabila, Member of the Colombo Municipal Council and Mrs. Nirodhani Pathiraja, Technical Director, Department of Road Traffic Design and Road Safety of the Colombo Municipal Council participated and engaged actively in the associated events.

The Summit, one of Russia’s leading international gatherings in the transport sector, brought together 200 foreign delegates from 43 countries, including India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates. At the opening ceremony, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin presented the Moscow Transport Development Strategy through 2030. The strategy was shared as a case study for delegations exploring how megacities can develop transport systems that are more efficient, sustainable, and technologically advanced.

For Sri Lanka, the Summit provided a valuable opportunity to engage directly with cities and countries facing similar urban mobility pressures ranging from congestion management to digital transport infrastructure. As Colombo and other urban centers continue to grow, such engagements are expected to support Sri Lanka’s move toward smarter and more connected urban transport solutions.

During the visit, Colombo Municipal Council and the Moscow Government signed a Joint Statement on developing cooperation in the transport sector. In addition, Mrs. Nirodhani Pathiraja participated in discussions focused on the modern organization of parking facilities.

Sri Lanka’s presence at the Summit reflects the country’s readiness to engage with expanding international networks and to draw on global best practices as it charts its path toward more efficient, sustainable, and digitally enabled urban transport.

Along with the members of the Colombo Municipal Council, Mihiravi Dissanayake, Counsellor and Olessya Romanova, Interpreter of the Embassy participated in the discussions.
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14/08/2026

04/08/2026

The complaint management mobile application, “LankaKonect” has been introduced by Government of Sri Lanka to lodge complains and seek redress for employment related grievances of the Sri Lankan migrant workers in abroad.
The mobile application can be downloaded through following links:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.slbfe.lankakonect

https://apps.apple.com/lk/app/lankakonect/id6780956925

29/07/2026

National Association of Builders (NOSTROY) Visits Sri Lanka to Explore Investment Opportunities and Signs a Cooperation Agreement in Foreign Employment opportunities in Russia

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Moscow facilitated a visit by a high-level business delegation led by Mr. Anton Moroz, Vice President of NOSTROY, aimed at exploring investment opportunities and strengthening bilateral cooperation in the construction and infrastructure sectors.

The delegation held high-level discussions with Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Bimal Ratnayake, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, Arun Hemachandra, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe and Chairman of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, Duminda Hulangamuwa, and Senior Advisor to the President.

Discussions centred on prospects for Russian investment and collaboration in Sri Lanka's construction sector, including urban infrastructure, road and bridge construction, and the development of modern transportation hubs. The delegation reaffirmed its interest in pursuing mutually beneficial partnerships to support Sri Lanka's economic development and to strengthen bilateral business ties.

During this visit a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Agency (SLFEA) and NOSTROY on the training and qualification assessment of foreign specialists in the construction sector. The MoU establishes a framework for long-term cooperation on foreign employments opportunities, including a mechanism for vocational training and qualification assessment of Sri Lankan citizens seeking employment in the construction of Russia.

NOSTROY is the largest self-regulatory association in Russia's construction sector, comprising 251 self-regulatory organizations and over 105,000 construction companies, representing more than 50 per cent of the industry in Russia.

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23/07/2026

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka and Russia reaffirmed their diplomatic engagement as Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath held a high-level meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN Ministerial Meetings in Manila on July 22.

The discussions focused on current issues relating to both the bilateral relationship between Sri Lanka and Russia as well as key developments on the international agenda.

The meeting provided an opportunity for the two foreign ministers to review the status of Sri Lanka-Russia relations and exchange views on regional and global developments.

22/07/2026

13/07/2026

𝐒𝐫𝐢 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐳𝐛𝐞𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

The inaugural round of Political Consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Uzbekistan was held on 09 July 2026 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, marking a significant milestone in the longstanding and friendly relations between the two countries.

The Consultations commenced with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), establishing a formal framework for regular bilateral dialogue and enhanced cooperation between the two Ministries. The MoU reflects the shared commitment of both countries to further deepen engagement and strengthen institutional linkages across areas of mutual interest.

The Sri Lankan delegation was led by Foreign Secretary Aruni Ranaraja, while the Uzbek delegation was headed by First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Aloyev Bakhrom.

Foreign Secretary Ranaraja underscored Sri Lanka’s strong interest in expanding its engagement with the Central Asian region, particularly with Uzbekistan, recognizing the country’s strategic location as a vital link between Asia and Europe, its ongoing economic transformation, and its growing contribution to regional connectivity and integration. The Consultations provided an important platform to review the current status of bilateral relations, exchange views on matters of mutual interest, and identify new avenues for cooperation and partnership.

During the discussions, both sides highlighted trade, tourism, logistics, and education as key sectors with significant potential for enhanced cooperation. Recognizing the importance of broadening economic engagement, the two delegations emphasized the need to diversify bilateral trade, increase trade volumes, and promote mutually beneficial investment opportunities.

Highlighting the importance of educational cooperation, Foreign Secretary Ranaraja referred to the strong historical links between Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan in this field, noting that many Sri Lankan students had pursued higher education, particularly in medicine and engineering, in institutions in the former Soviet Union, including Uzbekistan. She emphasized the value of revitalizing and expanding academic exchanges and educational partnerships between the two countries.

The two sides also acknowledged the considerable potential for strengthening tourism cooperation and welcomed the commencement of seasonal charter flights from Uzbekistan to Sri Lanka as a positive development that would facilitate greater tourist flows and enhance people-to-people connectivity. In this regard, an invitation was extended to Sri Lanka Tourism to participate in the Tashkent International Tourism Fair, the largest tourism exhibition in Central Asia, scheduled to be held in September 2026.

On the sidelines of the Political Consultations, Foreign Secretary Ranaraja held discussions with Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shokhrukh K. Gulamov where both sides agreed to formulate targeted and practical measures to expand and diversify bilateral trade. Particular attention was given to exploring cooperation in areas such as apparel manufacturing, tea packaging, seafood exports, and the gem and jewellery industry.

Foreign Secretary Ranaraja also held meetings with Deputy Minister of Sports of the Republic of Uzbekistan Avaz Karimov, Chairman and Adviser of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan Dr. Alisher Shaykhov, and Deputy Chairman of the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan Sandjar Tadjiev, to discuss opportunities for further collaboration in sports, trade and investment, and tourism.

The Consultations concluded with both sides agreeing to convene the Second Round of Political Consultations in Colombo in 2027, reaffirming their shared commitment to maintaining regular dialogue and advancing bilateral cooperation.

The Sri Lanka delegation included Director General of the South East and Central Asia Division Chamari Rodrigo and Counsellor of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Moscow Mihiravi Dissanayake.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism
Colombo
13 July 2026