The University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJ) has signed a partnership agreement with Ural State University of Economics, Russia, to establish a Russian Language Centre at USJ. The initiative has been supported by Russian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Levan S Dzhagaryan, the University said. The opening ceremony was attended by USJ Vice Chancellor Snr Prof M M Pathmalal, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Prof Shirantha Heenkenda, deans from other faculties, department heads, and students.

Representatives from Ural State University of Economics, including Prof Roman Krasnov and Maria L Popova, also played key roles in finalising the partnership. The establishment of this centre will provide USJ students with the opportunity to engage more deeply with the Russian language and culture. This collaboration is expected to broaden academic and cultural exchange between the two universities, fostering international cooperation and new academic pathways for students.