Sri Lanka And Russia Explore New Initiatives To Deepen Cultural Cooperation

(MENAFN- Colombo Gazette) The Minister of Culture of Sri Lanka, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, undertook a visit to Moscow and held discussions with the Deputy Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, Andrei Malyshev, with a view to further strengthening the longstanding cultural ties and people-to-people relations between Sri Lanka and Russia.

The meeting focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in the field of culture and identifying new initiatives to deepen the close friendship between the two countries. Both sides underscored the importance of culture as a bridge between peoples and as an important dimension of the broader Sri Lanka-Russia relationship.

A key proposal discussed was the joint celebration of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Russia through 70 cultural initiatives during the anniversary year. The proposed initiatives would encompass literature, performing arts, visual arts, heritage, museums, film, music, education, Buddhist cultural heritage and exchanges between cultural institutions.

Minister Senevi also proposed the introduction of a“New Literary Cultural Triangle” framework, envisaged as an intellectual and spiritual geography connecting historic centres of world literature and humanism. The initiative seeks to create a platform for dialogue and cultural exchange among major literary and civilisational traditions, while adding a new dimension to broader Eurasian cultural cooperation.

During the discussions, both sides agreed in principle to the signing of a Cultural Cooperation Agreement between Sri Lanka and the Russian Federation. The proposed agreement is expected to provide a strengthened institutional framework for expanding cooperation and facilitating regular exchanges in the cultural sphere.

To mark the visit of the Minister of Culture of Sri Lanka to Moscow, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Russian Federation, Shobini Gunasekera, hosted an official luncheon at the Residence in the presence of Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for International Cultural Cooperation, Mikhail Shvydkoy. The luncheon was attended by senior representatives of Russian cultural institutions, Secretary General of the Russia-Sri Lanka Friendship Society, Vladimir Poloskov; President of the Children Charity Foundation, Dmitry Likhanov; Sri Lankan Architect, Sanath Abeysekera; and representatives of the Russian State Library. The occasion provided an opportunity to exchange views on strengthening cultural cooperation between Sri Lanka and Russia.

The proposed 70 cultural initiatives and the New Literary Cultural Triangle are envisaged as flagship initiatives to mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations and provide further impetus to bilateral cultural relations.

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Moscow continues to work closely with the relevant Russian authorities and institutions to translate these proposals into concrete programmes and projects in the lead-up to the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Russia.

Counsellor of the Embassy, Mihiravi Dissanyke, and Editor-in-Chief of the National Encyclopedia, Dr. Ranjana Senasinghe, were also associated with these events.

MENAFN28082026000190011042ID1111592865