Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Russian Federation Shobini Gunasekera received Director of the Institute of Asian and African Countries of the Moscow State University Prof. Alexey Maslov along with other representatives of the University on 10 March 2025 at the Embassy.

In the course of a friendly discussion, Prof. Maslov briefed Ambassador Gunasekera about the initiatives already conducted jointly with Sri Lanka, giving particular attention to the activities of the Foundation for the Promotion of Buddhist Education and Research. In line with cooperation with the Foundation in 2023 and 2024, Sri Lanka had strong representation at the International Buddhist Forum held in the Republic of Buryatia, Russia.
The International Buddhist Forum is held under the state patronage and has a significant impact on promotion of intercultural and interreligious dialogue, as well as Buddhist philosophy among the mostly Orthodox population of Russia. A delegation from Sri Lanka is being invited to join the event in the Republic of Kalmykia this year.
The sides also discussed the possibilities of expanding cooperation in the sphere of culture, education and research and identified several initiatives, which could be implemented within this year, such as celebration of the Vesak Festival.
The Institute of Asian and African Countries of the Moscow State University is a leading training center for specialists on Asia and Africa. The Institute commenced teaching Sinhala language in 1963 and its Department of Indian Philology has continued to conduct a Sinhala language programme under the University curriculum.