About language, education and visas

H.E. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sri Lanka to Russia, Janitha Liyanage, visited USUE within the framework of the XIV EEYF. Today, USUE rector Yakov Silin and H.E. Ambassador Janita Liyanaga will sign an agreement to open a Russian Language Center at the University of Sri Jayawardenepura.

Ms.Janitha Liyanage actively promotes the popularization of the Russian language in Sri Lanka and notes the importance of its studying: “The Russian language is very popular in our country. Today, about a thousand Sri Lankan students are studying at Russian universities. They are interested in Russian culture. Apart from that, my compatriots come to Russia to work. We are working to popularize this language in our country.”

The Ambassador notes that today three Russian Language Centers are already functioning in the country, contributing to the development of cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. 138 their graduates received the Russian course completion certificates. Russian language centers help future students prepare for studying at Russian universities, as well as those who want to connect their lives with Russia. There are plans to open three other Russian language centers.

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The Russian language in Sri Lanka is being popularized not only among university students but also among schoolchildren. According to Janitha Liyanage, the Russian language is keenly promoted at schools. This year, delegations of teachers from Sri Lankan schools will come to Russia to study the Russian language and its teaching.

She thinks that the Russian language is necessary for those Sri Lankans who are engaged in the tourism sector: “Perhaps the largest tourist flow comes from Russia, so the knowledge of Russian is necessary for Sri Lankan employees. Last winter, we received about 14 direct flights from Moscow and from other Russian cities. This, of course, resulted in an increase in the number of Russian tourists. As you know, until April 30 this year, Russians do not pay for visas. The Sri Lankan authorities are currently considering extending this order.”

This year Janitha Liyanage is taking part in the Eurasian Economic Youth Forum for the third time and notes the scale of the event.

“EEYF is becoming grander every year. The level of preparation, organization, and hospitality is impressive. The formats and number of participants are growing. This year, a delegation of seven people came from Sri Lanka and established cooperation and further interaction with USUE. As of today, there are 20 students studying at your university, and we will work to increase this number,” she summed up.

 XIV Eurasian Economic Youth Forum “Russia-Eurasia-the World. Integration-Development-Perspective” runs from April 22 to 26. The event brought together a record number of participants: over 17 thousand people from 114 countries.