Month: March 2022
Hon. Piyankara Jayaratne, State Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion and Market Diversification Concludes a successful visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arab
Hon. Piyankara Jayaratne, State Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion and Market Diversification undertook an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 19th to 24th March 2022.
During this visit Hon State Minister had a bilateral discussion with Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Abuthnain, Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Development for Labour of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development of Saudi Arabia. The discussions centered on the increase of the skill labour categories to the Kingdom and enhance the ongoing collaboration between the labour related agencies between the two countries.
Hon. Piyankara Jayaratne also joined Hon. Tharaka Balasuriya, State Minister of Regional Cooperation when the latter met HE Khalid Al Falih, Minister of Investment and HE Adel bin Ahmed Al Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
State Minister Jayaratne also participated at the meeting with members of the Human Resources and Labour Market Committee of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce led by HE Eng. Mansour A. Alshathry, Chairman of the Human Resources and Labour Market Committee.
The State Minister’s engagement also included a visit to the Women’s Welfare Center in Riyadh, Meeting with the Coordination Council for Recruitment Companies in the Kingdom, Meeting with Dr. Faisal bin. M. Walan, CEO of Al Ajeer Recruitment Company and the visit to the safe house for the stranded Sri Lankan domestic workers maintained by the Sri Lanka mission in Riyadh.
HE P. M. Amza, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom, Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary, State Ministry of Employment Promotion and Market Diversification, Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Chairman, Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment and Embassy officials associated with the State Minister during the above engagements.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Riyadh
24 March 2022
State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya concludes official visit to KSA
Hon. Tharaka Balasuriya, State Minister for Regional Cooperation undertook an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 19th to 21st March 2022.
This visit follows the visit of the first ever bilateral visit at the Foreign Ministerial level to Sri Lanka by HH Prince Faisal bin Farhan Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabian on the 14th December 2022.
During the visit the Hon Minister had bilateral talks with HE Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir , Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and participated at the working lunch hosted by the Saudi State Minister.
During his meeting with HE Khalid A. Al-Falih Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia, the possibilities of the Saudi businesses investing in renewable energy, logistics, tourism, ICT, pharmaceutical and textiles sectors were explored. Following this meeting the Sri Lankan Minister had also had a meeting with over 25 leading companies in the Kingdom representing the above sectors.
The Minister’s engagements also included the visits to ACWA, leading company in the renewable energy sector and meeting with its Chairman HE Mohammad Abdullah Abunayyan. The Minster visited LUCID Group. Inc, American electric vehicle manufacturer and had a meeting with its Managing Director Mr. Faisal Sultan. Minister also visited Ajilan Brothers, a leading diversified group of companies with multifaceted focus of business in power, environment, tourism, logistics, education and technology. The Minister met the Group CEO H.E. Eng. Ali Alhazmi
The State Minister also delivered keynote address on business and investment opportunities in Sri Lanka at the Federation of Saudi Chambers, the umbrella organization of the 28 chambers of the Kingdom
Hon. Piyankara Jayaratne, State Minister of Foreign Employment and Market Diversification, H.E. P.M. Amza, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom, Additional Secretary Prof. Saj U. Mendis and Embassy officials associated with the Minister to the meetings.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Riyadh
22/03/2022
Ambassador Amza meets the Chief Editor of Arab News Faisal J Abbas
Ambassador Amza met recently the Chief Editor of Arab News Faisal J Abbas at the Arab News Head Office in Riyadh. Discussions centered on the bilateral ties between Sri Lanka and KSA and positive changes taking place in the Kingdom in political, social, and cultural spheres.
Sri Lanka Tourism promotional booth in VFS center Jeddah
His Excellency Pakeer Mohideen Amza, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia inaugurated a Sri Lanka Tourism Promotional booth in the VFS Visa Application Center in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 1st March 2022.
The booth consists of two attractive panels displaying the beauty of wildlife and sandy beaches of Sri Lanka together with a TV screen displaying the tourism promotional videos which run continuously. This promotional booth will provide useful travel information about Sri Lanka for the visitors who visit the VFS center for their visa and passport services.
At the discussion with the officials of the VFS, HE Ambassador thanked VFS office for arranging this wonderful promotional booth with the view to support Sri Lanka in promoting Sri Lanka Tourism
Mr. Hocine Falek, Deputy General Manager, Mr. Fazmil Casseem Operations Manager and several officials from VFS center, officials from the Embassy of Sri Lanka participated at this event.
Between 2020 and 2021 , tourist arrivals from Saudi Arabia decreased drastically compared to 2019 due to the adverse effects associated with the Covid-19. However, positive growth has been observed from the beginning of 2022 as Sri Lanka has relaxed the covid related safety measures.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Riyadh
08.03.2022
Sri Lanka Participates at “Foodex Saudi 2022” Exhibition
Sri Lanka Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah in coordination with Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB) took part in “Foodex Saudi 2022”, Saudi Arabia’s leading international food and drink trade exhibition which is held from 28th February – 03rd March 2022 in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
Under the Sri Lanka Tea Board group stand M/S. Basilur Tea Exports (Pvt.) Limited and Sri Lanka Tea Board occupy the group stand. Several other Sri Lankan tea exporting companies were also among around 80 exhibitors who showcased their products at this event.
His Excellency P.M. Amza, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to KSA ceremonially opened the Sri Lanka pavilion at the “Foodex Saudi 2022” exhibition. Mr. T.F.M. Aaashiq, Acting Consul General in the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Jeddah and Mr. Sanjeewa Pattiwila, Minister (Commerce) of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh also participated at the opening ceremony. Mr. Kavinda Illeperuma, Tea Promotion Officer of the SLTB coordinated the event.
The organizers also facilitated business to business meetings among industry professionals. Several potential Saudi tea importers visited SLTB pavilion to inquire about importing Ceylon Tea.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Riyadh
01.03.2022
Ambassador Amza had a cordial and productive meeting with His Excellency Hissein Brahim Taha Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
Ambassador Amza had a cordial and productive meeting with His Excellency Hissein Brahim Taha Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation on 28th February 2022