On a joint invitation extended by the University of Kuwait and the Kuwait Historical Society, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Sarath Dissanayake delivered a speech at the University auditorium on 23rd November on the theme “Post-war Sri Lanka – Opportunities & Way Forward” with special emphasis on the Role of the International Community, to a well attended gathering of academic staff, students, members of the cooperate sector, media, Sri Lankan community and well-wishers. The event was held under the distinguished patronage of Prof. Sheika Maymounah Khalifa Al-Sabah, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and President of the Kuwait Historical Society and was presided over by Dr. Abdullah M. Alhajeri, Vice Dean for Student Affairs, University of Kuwait.
Ambassador Dissanayake said that the multifaceted relations between Sri Lanka and Kuwait have been promising while Kuwait’s generous development assistance and goodwill have been of immense benefit to Sri Lanka. He also appreciated the invaluable role played by the media in Kuwait in keeping the government, private sector, the general public etc. abreast of Sri Lanka’s potential opportunities for investors abroad. He also took the opportunity to extend his appreciation to the Kuwait University and staff for their pioneering role in providing educational opportunities and exchange programmes for overseas students. Ambassador also remarked that “the Kuwait University has become a centre of learning par excellence with which universities in Sri Lanka wish to establish closer links”.
Ambassador wished that his presentation and interaction would be of interest to the members in the audience in understanding Sri Lanka’s current situation and its vision for a peaceful and prosperous future. At a time Sri Lanka is focused on steering the nation on the right course, he said, “there is cause for optimism and satisfaction among the people of their future prospects”. He also expressed the belief that the international community including Kuwait would cease this opportune moment in Sri Lanka’s history and become stakeholders of the nation’s endeavours toward progress and prosperity.
In closing, he thanked the Kuwait University and its staff, invitees, students and well-wishers for their active participation and interest in the presentation and invited them to visit Sri Lanka. The speech was followed by a question & answer session and a video presentation on Sri Lanka which were well received by the audience.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Kuwait
November 25, 2009
