Tea section of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Russia organized a tea degustation session on August 31, 2020 in a leading supermarket market chain in the Kursk region "Liniya" at the MegaGrinn shopping mall. This was arranged in the framework of the official visit of H. E. Prof. M. D. Lamawansa, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Russia, accompanied by Embassy officials.

Ceylon Tea was offered by Sri Lankan university students clad in sarees which was an attraction. The visitors enjoyed genuine Ceylon tea represented by such brands, as Basilur, Real, Williams, Susan, Zylanica. They were also offered sweets in an adjacent booth by a sweets-producing company. Visitors showed an interest to learn about Ceylon tea and the significance of the Lion logo. A video on Sri Lanka was displayed at the booth to promote Sri Lanka. Visitors participated in the quiz "Facts About Sri Lanka" aiming at promotion of tourism and the raffle draw which allowed them to win traditional Sri Lankan souvenirs and packs of Ceylon tea.
Manageress of 'Liniya' requested the embassy to organize similar sessions in other branches of 'Liniya' chain in different cities of the Kursk region. Therefore, the embassy will conduct two more sessions in the region during this year.
The Embassy also organized working dinner for Kursk-based tour operators to increase awareness of Sri Lanka as a tourist destination. Staff of seven tour operating companies participated. The commerce secretary Ms Chathurika Perera made a presentation on Sri Lanka as a tourist destination followed discussion. The participants of the seminar shared their experiences and impressions of the trips to Sri Lanka, noting the advantages of the island over other similar destinations and variety of excursions available for tourists. They also had several areas to clear doubts about, especially related to pandemic situation. They were anxious to know the date of opening of Sri Lankan boarders to Russian tourists.