Ms. Nadezhda Kuchma, Deputy Director of the International Institute of Asia, Africa and Latin America of the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN, former Patrice Lumumba University) visited the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Moscow on 26 May 2022 to discuss with Prof. Janitha A. Liyanage, H. E. the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Russia, and staff of the Mission a project initiated by the RUDN University to improve Buddhist-related education in Russia.

 Although Buddhism is widely spread on the territory of Russia, especially in Kalmykia, Buryatia and Tuva regions, there is no established standard programme in the country, which would provide education on Buddhism on the University level.

Therefore, considering that Sri Lanka is one of the major education hubs in the sphere of Buddhism Peoples' Friendship University of Russia reached out to the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Moscow requesting to facilitate to establishment of strong links with several of many Buddhist-related institutions in Sri Lanka aiming to sign agreements on cooperation, establish joint programmes, organize student and experience exchange, participation in conferences, etc.

Prof. Janitha A. Liyanage assured the RUDN representative of the fullest support of the Embassy and the desire of Sri Lanka to share with the Russian counterparts its centuries-old experience of teaching Buddhism. H. E. the Ambassador further stated that the Embassy and the University would continue cooperation to bring education in the sphere of Buddhism in Russia to a new level.