Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia celebrate 50 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2025. To commemorate this historic milestone in the bilateral relations, a special commemorative logo was unveiled at a diplomatic reception organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh on 05 February 2025 at the Cultural Palace at the Diplomatic Quarters in Riyadh.
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Omar Lebbe Ameer Ajwad, jointly with the Deputy Minister of Protocol Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Abdul Majeed Al- Shammari and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Ambassador Dya Eddine Bamakhrama representing the diplomatic community in Riyadh, unveiled the special logo.
Special messages exchanged by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka Vijitha Herath and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on the special occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations were also released during the occasion.
A large number of dignitaries including high ranking officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as other ministries of Saudi Arabia, Ambassadors of different countries based in Riyadh, members of Saudi business community, professionals, academia, media personalities and friends of Sri Lanka as well as members of the Sri Lankan community attended the event.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Ameer Ajwad pointed out that although the modern diplomatic relations were established fifty years ago, historic diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka, essentially began in the 7th century AD when the then King of Sri Lanka named Aggabodhi III (623 – 640 AD) dispatched his envoy to Medina Al-Munawwarah on a fact finding mission at the time of the holy Prophet Mohammed (pbuh). The Ambassador also highlighted that the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh initiated a number of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs including a tree planting programme that was held in cooperation with the Riyadh Municipality. The programme, which aligns with the Saudi Green Initiative under its Vision 2030, was conducted with the participation of the Sri Lankan community in Riyadh.
Specially designed coat pins to mark the occasion of the 50th anniversary were also presented to the participants during the event. While the popular Saudi poet Mohammed bin Salem bin Jalban Alkhatani recited an Arabic poem, Sri Lankan children performed a specially composed song on the occasion.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism
Colombo
11 February 2025
