Prof. Viktor Anatolyevich Lazarenko, Rector of the Kursk State Medical University (KSMU), together with Assoc. Prof. Mohamad Toufic Chahine, Director of International Medical Institute of the KSMU and Hony. Consul of Sri Lanka in Kursk, visited Sri Lanka 01 – 05 May 2023.

The visit of the delegation was organized by Prof. Janitha A. Liyanage, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Russia, who accompanied the team during its official visits to the Health Ministry of Sri Lanka, the University Grants Commission, the Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine, the University of Peradeniya and the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
The delegation held a meeting with Hon. Dr. Keheliya Rambukwella, Minister of Health of Sri Lanka, who, in line with his Russian counterpart, Hon. Dr. Mikhail Murashko, supported the idea of establishment of the Russia - Sri Lanka University Association for Medical and Allied Health Sciences. The sides also discussed the expansion of the list of implementation of new joint educational programs in the field of medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, biotechnology, as well as the possibility of implementing bachelor's degree programs in epidemiology and laboratory diagnostics.
During the meeting of the Rector of KSMU, Prof. V.A. Lazarenko, with the Chairman of the Sri Lanka University Grants Commission, Senior Professor Sampath Amaratunge, the possibility of implementing joint educational programs with Sri Lankan universities on various special and postgraduate programs was discussed. Professor Sampath fully supported the plans announced by Rector V.A. Lazarenko about future cooperation.
At the meeting with Prof. Ranjana Seneviratne, Vice Chancellor of the Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine, Prof. Viktor Anatolyevich Lazarenko signed an agreement on establishment of the Russia - Sri Lanka University Association for Medical and Allied Health Sciences. The Agreement will contribute to establishment of links between Russian and Sri Lankan medical institutions, giving them a platform for joint research, seminars, conferences and the general use of resources.
At the meeting with Prof. Upul Subasinghe, Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura the parties discussed issues of cooperation in the framework of joint educational programs, research and development, as well as development of potential of the teaching staff and students, exchange of students and teaching staff, organization of joint conferences and seminars.
The delegation also visited the University of Peradeniya, where it was greeted by Professor W. M. T. Madhujith, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, conducted meetings with the Medical and Dental Faculties and inspected the University facilities.
The Kursk State Medical University was also able to conduct a meeting with the representatives of the Surgery Department of the Ruhuna University and discussed the possible vectors of cooperation with them.