Ambassador-designate of Sri Lanka to Saudi Arabia Omar Lebbe Ameer Ajwad held an interactive session at the Sri Lanka Embassy premises in Riyadh with the Chairpersons/representatives of Sri Lankan tourism Destination Management Companies (DMCs) who attended the Riyadh Travel Fair 2024 held in the Saudi capital from 27 – 29 May 2024. Sri Lanka Airlines country manager and a representative from Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau also participated.

The discussion focused on ways and means that would help to promote Sri Lankan tourism in Saudi Arabia in the years ahead. Ambassador-designate pointed out that tourism is a low-hanging fruit for supporting the country’s economy during this trying time of the country and invited active participation of Destination Management Companies in promoting Sri Lanka tourism in the Kingdom. Participants expressed useful ideas and agreed to work closely with the Sri Lanka Embassy in Riyadh for the promotion of Sri Lankan tourism in Saudi Arabia which is a highly potential market for Sri Lanka tourism.

As an outcome of the meeting it was agreed to establish a channel of communication between the Embassy and the Destination Management Companies to implement the programmes that were identified during the meeting.

Mr. Mohamed Anas, HoC and Mrs. Tashma Vithanawasam, Second Secretary/Commerce of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Riyadh also participated during the discussion.

Ambassador-designate of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Omar Lebbe Ameer Ajwad officially assumed his duties on 27 May 2024. The occasion was marked by a simple ceremony organized by the staff of the Embassy at the Sri Lankan Embassy premises in Riyadh.

Addressing the staff Ambassador Ameer Ajwad emphasized the need for elevating the existing   bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia in to new heights while highlighting the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries that falls this year.

Ambassador Ameer Ajwad is a career diplomat with 26 years of experience in the Sri Lanka Diplomatic Service. Prior to his appointment he served as the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka in charge of Foreign Ministry’s Planning, Implementation, & Performance Review including Bilateral Treaties; Political Affairs (Africa Region); Consular Affairs; as well as Emergency Response Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He has also served as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Sultanate of Oman with the concurrent accreditation to the Republic of Yemen (2019 – 2022). His diplomatic assignments entailed in Singapore as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner (Actg.) (2018 – 2019) with the concurrent accreditation to Brunei Darussalam, Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka in Chennai, India (2011 – 2015), the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland (2005 – 2009) and the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh, KSA (2000 – 2003).

Ambassador Ameer Ajwad holds a Master’s Degree in Laws (LL.M) from the University of Colombo. He also holds Bachelor’s Degree in Arts (BA) from the University of Peradeniya and a Bachelor’s Degree in Laws (LL.B) from the University of Colombo. He was admitted to the Bar as an Attorney- at- Law of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka in 1997.

He served as a member of the National Committee for Official Languages Policy Implementation (NCOLPI) of Sri Lanka as well as a member of the National Advisory Committee on Migration for Employment (NACME) representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He is also a visiting Lecturer at the National Defence College of Sri Lanka (NDC).

Ambassador Ameer Ajwad authored a book recently on international relations titled: “Sri Lanka – Oman Relations: Past, Present and Future.”

He speaks English, Arabic, Sinhala and Tamil languages.

The Vesak festival is a profoundly sacred day for Buddhists worldwide, commemorating the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing. Buddhists in Sri Lanka, along with their brethren around the globe, celebrate Vesak with deep devotion. They spend this period engaging in religious observances and venerating the Buddha with fervent devotion.

At this challenging moment, we as a nation should cultivate the same great zeal for enlightenment that Buddha exemplified, inspired by his sermon, “Maththasukha parichchaga- passé che vipulan sukhan” – to sacrifice today for a better tomorrow.

We must remember the advice of Lord Buddha, “Sabbattha Sammanaso,” to treat everyone equally and ensure we put it into practice as a country. This is the greatest offering we can present to the Buddha on this Vesak day. Regardless of race, religion, caste, or political affiliation, we must all unite to heal and rebuild our country. The principles of Lichchavi Raja Dharmaya will guide us in this endeavour.

Let us keep in mind that the primary aim of the Vesak festival is to foster spiritual growth and character development in a world rapidly advancing physically. I wish everyone a blessed Vesak festival.

Ranil Wickremesinghe,
President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lanka International School Dammam recently said goodbye to the Ambassador from Sri Lanka with heartfelt appreciation. The school’s Chairman, Board, Principal, teachers, students, and committee members came together to express their gratitude for the Ambassador’s support to the Sri Lankan community in the Eastern Province.

The Ambassador received warm wishes for their future endeavors, while the school community remains grateful for their contributions.