Saudi Arabia to support Sri Lanka’s economic development agenda

(May 11, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The Government of Saudi Arabia has pledged its commitment to support Sri Lanka’s economic development agenda, including assistance for the post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Northern and Eastern Provinces, in the context of its long standing Development Cooperation partnership with Sri Lanka. This position was articulated by high ranking dignitaries of the Saudi Arabian Government whom Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama met during his official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 9 – 10 May 2009.

The Foreign Minister held a series of meetings in the Saudi capital, Riyadh with the Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, HRH Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Foreign Minister, HRH Prince Saud Al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Minister of Finance and Chairman of the Saudi Fund for Development, Dr. Ibrahim Abdulaziz Al-Assaf, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Abdulrahman Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah and the Chairman of the Kingdom Holdings Group, HRH Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud.

The Saudi dignitaries expressed the support of the Saudi Government on the ongoing efforts of the Sri Lankan Government to eradicate terrorism, so that the country could move forward and focus attention on the economic agenda.

The Foreign Minister briefed his Saudi interlocutors on the humanitarian relief assistance being provided by the Government to the civilians who have fled LTTE control and come over to the cleared areas in the North, as well as its continuing efforts to free those civilians who are still being held hostage in the conflict zone and the firm commitment of the Government to rescue them from the clutches of the LTTE.

At the meeting with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister Bogollagama thanked Saudi Arabia for the stand taken by the Saudi Government and the understanding and solidarity expressed on Sri Lanka’s humanitarian mission to defeat terrorism. Prince Saud said that one cannot understand the pain and destruction associated with terrorism unless one experienced the forces of terror.

Saudi Arabia expressed interest in extending assistance to Sri Lanka to deal with the ongoing relief efforts, especially to support the post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Northern as well as the Eastern Provinces. This subject was also a main topic of discussion with the authorities of the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), chaired by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Assaf, the Foreign Minister referred to some of the main projects undertaken by the SFD such as the Mahaweli downstream project, the Moragahakanda development project which is underway and other irrigation, electrification and highway projects undertaken by the SFD. The Minister thanked the SFD for the Epilepsy and Trauma Units which are being built as extensions of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka. It was also noted that significant funds had been granted for tsunami related projects. The Minister invited a delegation from the SFD to visit Sri Lanka so that they could have a first hand assessment of the urgent needs and requirements for the IDPs in the welfare villages as well as the long term needs of reconstruction and rehabilitation.

At the meetings, the Foreign Minister also spoke of the 600,000 strong Sri Lankan community who are employed in Saudi Arabia, that form an important link in the country’s bilateral relations. While thanking the Saudi Government for the employment opportunities provided to Sri Lankans, the Minister also discussed welfare issues, including issues relating to the exchange of prisoners. It was agreed that the two countries may explore the possibility of entering into a reciprocal Agreement on this subject.

An important subject that came up for discussion was the need to have bilateral visits between the two countries and in this context, the two sides would work on the invitation extended to President Mahinda Rajapaksa to visit Saudi Arabia on mutually convenient dates in the near future. The two sides agreed to work closely in order to follow up on the decisions made to strengthen links between Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka.

At the meeting with the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the two sides exchanged views on the excellent relations between the GCC member states and Sri Lanka. On Sri Lanka’s application to obtain Observer Status in the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), the GCC Secretary General stated that Sri Lanka could look forward to receiving the support of the OIC member states. The Minister referred to SAARC and the programme of activities undertaken by SAARC during Sri Lanka’s tenure as the SAARC Chair. He briefed the GCC Secretary General on the SAARC Food Security programme and the SAARC Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters signed last year at the Colombo Summit.

At the meeting with HRH Prince Al Waleed, the Chairman of the Kingdom Holdings Group, the Foreign Minister recalled the generous contribution of US $ 3 million donated by the Prince for construction of houses for tsunami victims. The Kingdom Holdings Company which owns and manages 85 hotels worldwide, including up market hotel chains such as Four Seasons, Raffles, Fairmont, George V, Movenpick, New York Plaza expressed interest in investing in Sri Lanka including in the hotel sector. The Prince would be visiting Sri Lanka in the near future. Elaborating on investment opportunities in Sri Lanka, the Minister spoke of the Sovereign Bonds floated by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka which offers attractive incentives. It was agreed that the Governor Central Bank would visit Saudi Arabia to meet with the relevant authorities.

During his brief visit to Saudi Arabia, the Foreign Minister took the opportunity to attend the Wesak celebration which was organized by the Sri Lanka Embassy with the assistance of Sri Lanka Expatriates’ Society (SLES) in Riyadh. Minister Bogollagama addressed the gathering of over 1,000 Sri Lankans and while thanking them for joining with the Embassy to organize such functions, he gave an update on current developments in Sri Lanka. He thanked them for their endeavours to provide assistance to the displaced civilians in the North.

The Ambassador for Sri Lanka in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, A.A.M. Marleen, the Consul General in Jeddah, A.L.M. Lafeer and officials from the Foreign Ministry and the Sri Lanka Embassy in Riyadh were associated with the Foreign Minister at the official meetings.

-Sri Lanka Guardian