A Trade, Tourism, Culture and Food Exhibition “Sri Lanka Expo” organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Bahrain in collaboration with the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka was held on 09 March 2023 at the Thai Mart, Muharraq, as part of a series of events to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Independence of Sri Lanka. A delegation of Sri Lankan women entrepreneurs visiting Bahrain for trade and export promotion displayed their products at the Sri Lankan booths, drawing attention to the Sri Lankan products.
Speaking on the occasion, the Ambassador-designate of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Bahrain H.M.G.R.R.K. Wijeratne Mendis emphasized the importance of the Sri Lanka Expo, which was organized under the Economic and Public Diplomacy initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka in line with the policy directives of President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Government of Sri Lanka, for economic revival and prosperity. Sri Lanka Expo was also a tribute to the enduring bilateral relationship between Sri Lanka and Bahrain. Ambassador-designate expressed gratitude to the Government and the people of Bahrain under the leadership of His Majesty the King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the Prime Minister and Crown Prince His Royal Highness Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, for Bahrain’s compassionate approach during COVID 19 pandemic.
The Sri Lanka Expo was graced by Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain for Consular & Administrative Affairs Ambassador Khalil Yaqoob Al Khayat and representative of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain and board member of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry Batool Mohamed Ahmed Dadabai. The other guests included ambassadors and diplomats from the embassies based in Manama. Large numbers from the Sri Lankan community as well as Arab nationals and expatriates from Bahrain and other GCC countries visited the Sri Lanka EXPO.
Speaking at the Sri Lanka Expo, board member of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dadabai referred to the unique and sustainable products of the women entrepreneurs across many sectors and emphasized the opportunity for Sri Lankan companies in Bahrain, a business-friendly country with the prospect to expand to the GCC region. Representing the delegation of Sri Lankan women entrepreneurs and the Export Development Board Punya Nanayakkara delivered the Vote of Thanks.
The highlight of the event was a Sri Lankan cultural show which showcased the artistic talents of the Sri Lankan community in Bahrain. Capturing both the traditional and modern elements while displaying the multicultural heritage of Sri Lanka, students of the performing arts center Thiranga Kala performed “Narthananjali”, “Kummiattam”, “Rhythm of Lankans”, “Suraba Walliya” and “Golden oldies”. The Sri Lankan community associations in Bahrain also performed an array of cultural items, including“Wes Natuma”, “Nonchi Kolama” as well as fusions of traditional and western dances. The Sri Lankan Music Band “Alert Style” based in Bahrain kept the audience entertained with a list of popular and evergreen Sinhala, Tamil and Hindi songs.
The sponsors of the Sri Lanka EXPO, Nonoo Exchange Company (NEC) presented an attractive exchange rate on the day of the event for the Sri Lankan migrant workers to remit to Sri Lanka while Akbar Holidays, a prestigious travel agency in Bahrain, offered “Ceylon Gamana”, an attractive package for tourists to visit Sri Lanka. A raffle draw sponsored by Akbar Holidays was held during the cultural show that offered a free return air ticket from Sri Lanka.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Manama
15 March 2023
