At a meeting held at the Ministry of Labour, Hon. Naser Qatami, Deputy of Minister of Labour of the State of Palestine expressed thanks to President Mahinda Rajapaksa for the establishment of the “Mahinda Rajapaksa Vocational Training Centre” in the Palestinian city of Nablus for the benefit of the Palestinian youth.
The meeting was arranged by the Representative Office of Sri Lanka with the collaboration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Palestine in order to identify the programmes/courses of the above Training Centre which was declared opened by His Excellency President Mahinda Rajpaksa during his State visit to Palestine in January this year.
Before the meeting, a discussion also was held at the Foreign Ministry in this regard. Along with Mr. M. Siraj Ahamed, the Attaché of the Representative Office, senior officials of the Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Health, & Tourism Sector participated at the discussion.
On this occasion, the Deputy Minister further said that the opening of the above Training Centre will be a boon for the Palestinians in order to develop their skills in various fields. “We are very thankful to His Excellency President Mahnida Rajpaksa and the Government of Sri Lanka for the action taken to establish the Centre. I hope that Palestinians will make use of the Centre. ” the Deputy Minister added.
Mr. Siraj Ahamed, briefed the Deputy Minister and the delegation on the scope of the meeting. He said that opening of the above Training Centre by President Rajapaksa is an another expression of the very close and cordial relations existing between the two countries and it would enhance the human resource development in the State of Palestine.
During the discussion, some of the courses in areas such as Health, Hotel Management and Hospitality within the framework of the MOU signed between the two countries were identified.
Following the meeting, the Attaché, the Deputy Minister and senior officials of the Labour Ministry proceeded to participate in the 45th Graduation Ceremony of a Vocational Training in Nablus City. The Deputy Governor of Nablus Ms. Annan Al-Attereh received the delegation at the Governor’s Office. In her welcome speech, she said that the Palestinian people are thankful to President Mahinda Rajapaksa for the continued support extended to the Palestinian cause and for the opening the Vocational Training Centre in Palestine. “We appreciate this gesture”, she said
Attaché Mr. Siraj Ahamed thanked the Deputy Governor for the warm reception and kind hospitality extended to him and expressed his great pleasure in visiting Nablus City to participate in the ceremony.
Representative Office of Sri Lanka
State of Palestine
12th June 2014
