Over 100 SL students receive Russian State scholarships

Students who receive scholarships

Embassy of the Russian Federation Counsellor and Russian Centre in Colombo Director Maria Popova 

By Shanika Sriyananda

More than 100 Sri Lankan students have been selected to pursue higher education in Russia this year under the Russian State Scholarship Program, as Sri Lanka and Russia prepare to celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027.

The number of scholarship opportunities has increased from 53 in previous years to more than 100 this year, reflecting the expanding educational cooperation between the two countries.

The scholarships cover a wide range of educational levels, from vocational programs to Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD studies, providing opportunities to study at universities across different regions of the Russian Federation.

The fields include medicine, engineering, information technology, economics, international relations, tourism, aviation, architecture, science, humanities and other specialised disciplines.

A special orientation and scholarship awarding meeting for the 2026 recipients and their parents was held on 25 September at the Russian House in Colombo, where students received their official scholarship letters and were briefed on preparations for their academic journey to Russia.

Embassy of the Russian Federation Counsellor and Russian Centre in Colombo Director Maria Popova congratulated the students and said the scholarships provided an important opportunity for Sri Lankan students who had excelled in their education.

“Russia has offered higher education opportunities at the best universities in Russia for students who have excelled in their education,” she said, encouraging the recipients to make maximum use of the opportunity.

“We hope you will make the maximum benefit of it to strengthen the relationship between two countries and benefit both countries,” Popova said.

She also encouraged the students to use the knowledge and experience gained in Russia for Sri Lanka’s development after completing their studies.

“Once you come back with the knowledge gained in Russia, we hope you will help develop Sri Lanka,” she said.

Highlighting the longstanding relationship between the two countries, Popova noted that 2027 would mark 70 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Russia.

Diplomatic relations between Ceylon and the Soviet Union were established in 1957, and Russia has continued the bilateral relationship as the successor state of the Soviet Union.

“This is significant for the students who are going for higher education in Russia this year. This is the opportunity for the students to represent Sri Lanka in the best way,” she said.

Russian House in Colombo Chief Executive Officer Buddhapriya Ramanayaka told the students that they would also have an important role in representing Sri Lanka during their stay in Russia.

“These students would be Sri Lanka’s ambassadors to Russia and represent the country well when they are in Russia,” he said.

Senior Education Manager Elina Babaeva and Education Officer Buthmi Perera also addressed the gathering and shared guidance with the scholarship recipients and their parents.

The orientation included practical information on the student visa application process, required documentation, travel preparations and arrival procedures in Russia. Students and parents were also given an opportunity to clarify questions relating to their departure and transition to studying in Russia.

The expanded scholarship program provides the students with opportunities to gain academic qualifications, professional skills and international experience while further strengthening the educational and people-to-people links between Sri Lanka and Russia.

For the more than 100 recipients, the journey to Russia marks the beginning of a new academic chapter, while their participation comes at a significant moment as the two countries prepare to commemorate seven decades of diplomatic relations in 2027.