As an initiative aimed at strengthening the relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Sri Lanka, as outlined in the 2014 Memorandum of Understanding for Collaboration in the Fields of Culture and Arts between the two nations, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Kingdom of Bahrain together with the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities organized a lecture titled "Historical Relations between Sri Lanka and the Middle East" by Professor Raj Somaveda, a Senior Professor of the University of Kelaniya, on Thursday, the 19 of October 2023 at the National Museum of Bahrain.
The chief guest of the event was President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa while member of parliament of Bahrain Hassan Eid Bukhammass, ambassadors of the UK, India, Pakistan, and Nepal, culture enthusiasts and members of Sri Lankan community organizations in Bahrain were among the guests.
Speaking during the event, President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities expressed his gratitude to the Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Bahrain Wijeratne Mendis for the initiative taken to enhance cultural co-operation between the two countries. He also appreciated Professor Raj Somaveda, for his extensive research on Arabic and Islamic cultural heritage in Sri Lanka and its relations with Middle East region.
Delivering her remarks, ambassador Wijeratne Mendis expressed her gratitude to the President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities and, the management committee for their support on the successful conclusion of the event.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Manama
23 October 2023
