The representatives of the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN) named after Patrice Lumumba visited the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJ) on the 23rd of October concurrent to the inauguration ceremony of the training programme on “Reporting and Verification of Greenhouse Gases”. This event took place as a collaborative effort between the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and the Faculty of Environmental Engineering at RUDN University in Russia. The programme was held at the Senate Board Room of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. The delegates from RUDN University were guests at the University for three consecutive days, the 23rd, 24th, and 25th of October.
The delegates were warmly welcomed by Senior Professor M. M. Pathmalal, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Prof. Upul Subasinghe, the Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Prof. Daham Jayawardana, the Head of the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, Senior Professor Hemanthi Ransinghe, the Course Coordinator, Dr. Chamila Pathirana, Deputy Course coordinator, Prof. Hiran Amarasekere, Dr. Thilak Chandrathilake, and Dr. Ruwini Dharmawardene, the Director of the International Affairs Division, USJ.
This programme held significant importance in addressing the global issue of climate change and environmental conservation. The partnership between the two institutions underscores the commitment to fostering international cooperation and knowledge exchange in the field of environmental science. The three-day programme was a valuable opportunity for participants to gain insights into greenhouse gas reporting and verification. Relating to this programme, fruitful discussions with the experts in the field took place.
Russian delegates who are working in the area of climate change in Russia participated as resource persons and shared their knowledge. Professor Anna Popkova, Deputy Director for International Affairs, Institute of Environmental Engineering, RUDN University, and Professor Redina Margarita joined as chief guests followed by other participants from the RUDN University. During the inauguration ceremony, the distribution of certificates and scholarships to the winners of the Ecological Olympiad organized by the RUDN University took place. As the resource person of the day Mr. Rishan Sampath, Assistant Manager –Sustainability of MAS Holdings conducted a technical session on “Reporting and Verification of Greenhouse Gas Inventory in Sri Lanka”. The requirements for quantifying emissions and removals of greenhouse gases, as well as carbon reporting in accordance with ISO 14064-1:2019 were discussed during this session.
On 24th of October, the delegates joined the field visit to the MAS Bodyline Factory, Horana, and to Forest Filed Station in Yagirala. The field visit was successfully arranged by Dr. Thilak Chandrathilake, senior lecturer of the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science. The Russian delegates had the opportunity in having an exposure to visit the forest areas and industrial plants in Sri Lanka during this visit.
On the 25th, the last day of the workshop series, a technical session was conducted for the delegates by Senior Professor Hemanthi Ranasinghe and Dr. Sampath Wahala, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Accreditation Board and Senior Lecturer of the Department of Tourism Management, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. The requirements for quantification, monitoring, and reporting on climate projects in accordance with ISO 14064-2:2019 – experience and practice of Sri Lanka were discussed during this session. After the technical session, Professor Redina Margarita conducted a summer school for the undergraduates of the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science. Professor Anna Popkova conducted the Hydrogeology Olympiad. More than 70 students have been registered for the examination which was an excellent opportunity for the undergraduates of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
