Socialist grads group marks 40th year

The Association of the Sri Lankan Graduates from Socialist Countries will mark its 40th anniversary at the BMICH cinema hall, the celebrations commencing at 9.00 am on November 18, a statement from the Association said. Education Minister Susil Premajayantha and the ambassadors from Russia, China and Cuba will grace the occasion, which will be followed by the AGM of the Association.

The annual get-together will be held at Ceylon Continental Hotel on the same day at 7.30 pm, it stated. The Association was established in 1966 by Sri Lankans who returned to Sri Lanka after pursuing higher studies in socialist countries. The graduates from former republics of the Soviet Union, People’s Republic of China, German Democratic Republic, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Czechoslovakia. Poland, Yugoslavia and Cuba formed the association with the objectives of enhancing their professional skills, supporting the wellbeing of the members and the strengthening of friendship between the people of those countries and Sri Lanka, the statement added. The Association has a registered membership of over 600 with many members holding responsible positions in the Government and private sector. Its members are in the forefront in professional bodies and welfare organizations and serve the needy communities throughout the country, it further said.