On 09 March 2021, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Moscow organized an event to celebrate the International Women's Day for the second consecutive time.
This year, the programme was conducted both online (through Zoom, Facebook and YouTube) and offline for a limited number of guests: representatives of International Women's Club, Women's Union of Russia, diplomatic staff of friendly Embassies, representatives of the media, museums, libraries, Park Administrations and educational organizations, members of Sri Lankan community in Russia.

Following the lighting of Oil lamp, welcome-speech was delivered by Ms. Nirosha K. Herath, First Secretary, who indicated that the event would be dedicated to the day of solidarity of women in the struggle for equal rights and emancipation.
The gathering was further addressed by the Ambassador Prof. M. D. Lamawansa, who especially mentioned that throughout the history of Sri Lanka there has been significant progress in respect to women's rights, especially following the International Women's Year in 1975, the UN Decade for Women from 1976 to 1985, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women of 1981, the National Plan of Action for Women and Women's Charter in 1996 and the Commission of Status of Women of 2005.
Mrs. Caroline Jurie, Mrs. World 2020 joined the event as the special guest from Sri Lanka via online. Addressing the gathering she highlighted the pivotal role played by women in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. Further she stated "Every woman who achieve their goals and dreams in life must and should use that success to encourage other women to do the same. Only a woman would understand the challenges and struggles of another woman. And we can all lend a helping hand to empower another woman that would be the best way to give something back to the society we live in".
The cultural part of the celebration, included online video performance by students of the Dance and Drama Faculty of the Fine Arts University of Sri Lanka, which portrayed decisive moments in different phases of an Asian Woman's life.
Ms. Alicia Hamangoda, one of talented students of the Sinhala language course coordinated by the Embassy, sang several beautiful songs for the audience.
The programme continued by a presentation on Sri Lankan cuisine by a staff member of the Embassy, Ms. Anna Makarovskaya, which was followed by a live cooking show by Mr. Ranil De. Silva and Mr. Yeshan Chamod, who demonstrated cooking of several Sri Lankan dishes: dhal wade, kottu, hoppers and kokis. Guests of the reception also took part happily in the live cooking show: They cooked the dishes and tried them freshly.
On behalf of the Ambassador and the entire team of the embassy, Mr. Mohamed Anas, Minister Counsellor, extended gratitude to Mrs. Caroline Jurie, Mrs. World 2020, Prof. Rohana Mahaliyanaarachchi, Vice Chancellor of the Fine Arts University, Dr. Indika Ferdinando, Dean of the Faculty of Dance of the same University, Ms. Alicia Hamangoda, Mr. Ranil De. Silva and Mr. Yeshan Chamod, for their valuable contribution. Further he thanked all the guests for their participation at the event in person and via online.
The guests were served with delicious Sri Lankan dishes at the end of the programme.