On July 31, the official opening of the Center for Open Education in the Russian language of the I. Yakovlev Chuvash State Pedagogical University (the training courses at the Center have been implemented since July 17). The event, which took place in a mixed format, began with the traditional ritual of lighting of lamp, which guarantees the success of the work begun.
The opening ceremony of the Center was attended by the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Maldives Levan Dzhagaryan. He noted that the Center for Open Education in the Russian language is a visible result of the joint work and close cooperation of both countries, which must be multiplied by continuing this work in other educational institutions of Sri Lanka. Addressing the students, Levan Dzhagaryan expressed hope that during his next visit to the Center, he would be understood by the audience if he delivered his speech in Russian.
The participants of the event were welcomed by the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Russian Federation, Professor Janitha A. Liyanage. She sincerely thanked the Russian Federation for the opportunity to implement a project in Sri Lanka to promote the Russian language, noting its importance for both countries.
A video greeting of the acting rector of I. Yakovlev Chuvash State Pedagogical University Vladimir Ivanov was presented. He expressed gratitude to the ambassadors of both countries for the attention paid by diplomatic missions to the process of studying the Russian language and culture in Sri Lanka. Words of gratitude were also addressed to the authorities of Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine. Vladimir Ivanov noted that during the time of the joint work, the universities have become real partners, and this guarantees successful work of the Center.


Vice-Chancellor of Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine Professor Ranjana V. Seneviratne noted in his speech that the Russian Federation and Sri Lanka have been cooperating with each other for a long time, and many famous people of the Russian culture are already well known to Sri Lankans. He expressed hope for further cooperation not only with I. Yakovlev Chuvash State Pedagogical University, but also with other Russian universities.
The event was also attended by Dr. Asanka Pallewatta, Director of Gampaha Wickramarachchi International Center. Igor Kozhanov, Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation at I. Yakovlev Chuvash State Pedagogical University, Svetlana Ilyina, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Alexander Kirillov, Head of the Research and Innovation Department, took part in the online format.
Representatives of the Russian House in the Republic of Sri Lanka also took part in the event. Maria Popova, the Director of the Russian House, in the conversation with the Russian teachers Alexandra Nikitina and Marina Maksimycheva noted the importance of the work carried out by Russian teachers on the island and expressed confidence in its effectiveness in the field of popularizing the Russian language and culture in the country.