On 22 February 2023, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Moscow organized an introductory online meeting between the Moscow State Linguistic University (MSLU) and the University of Kelaniya.

The MSLU was represented by Prof. Larisa Petruchak, Vice-Rector for Education, Ms. Irina Shokina, Head of Department of International Cooperation, Ms. Olga Yevtushenko, Prof. of the Department of Russian Language and Theory of Literature and other staff members of the University. While their counterparts from the University of Kelaniya were Snr. Prof. Neelakshi C. Premawardhena, Director, Centre for International Affairs, Prof. Dilrukshi Ratnayake, Head, Department of Modern Languages and other staff members of the University.
After the presentation of the Universities, which are the major establishments majoring in Linguistics in each of the countries, the sides discussed in detail the initiative of the MSLU to establish a Center of Russian Language on the platform of the University of Kelaniya, which would allow the Department of Modern Languages of the University of Kelaniya to improve its teaching standards via staff training, arranging short-term visits of Sri Lankan students learning Russian to the MSLU, conducting online and offline courses done by the native Russian-speakers, etc.
Apart from language-related cooperation, the sides discussed the possibilities of cooperation in the field of international relations, international journalism, IT, law, Oriental studies, etc.
Mr. Chamila Jayarathna, Minister Counsellor of the Embassy (Education and Trade) assured both Universities in the support of the Embassy to establish links and noted that it would contribute to development of longstanding relations between Sri Lanka and Russia in the field of education. He also especially appreciated the initiative of the MSLU for its decision to establish the Center of Russian Language on the basis of the University of Kelaniya and called on the sides to begin their cooperation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding.