His Royal Highness Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia visited Sri Lanka and had discussions with President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake on Tuesday, 4th July 2017. On his arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal was received by the State Minister of Foreign Affairs Vasantha Senanayake.
Prince Alwaleed is the founder and chairman of one of the world’s most successful and diversified financial investment enterprises, Kingdom Holding Company (KHC), which has been named twice by Forbes magazine as one of the smartest and most creative investors in the world.
Prince Alwaleed donated relief assistance towards Tsunami victims in 2004 which was the single largest individual contribution. He also donated US$ 1 Million through UN Agencies for the victims of the floods in Sri Lanka in 2016. Admiring and recognizing of his services to the people of Sri Lanka, a Presidential medal was conferred on him by President Maithripala Sirisena.
The discussions were centred on promoting investment, tourism and tourism related infrastructure and increasing economic activities including air connectivity between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia. Prince Alwaleed responded positively on investing in Sri Lanka to develop the hospitality industry and to promote Sri Lanka as an attractive tourist destination for Saudi Arabians.
Prince Alwaleed left Sri Lanka on the same day.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Colombo
5 July 2017
