Saudi Arabia
Sri Lanka- Saudi Arabia Celebrates 50 Years of Diplomatic Relations: An Official Commemorative Logo Launched. Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia celebrate 50 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations. To commemorate this historic milestone in the bilateral relations between the two countries, a special commemorative logo was launched at the diplomatic reception organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia held on 5th February 2025 in the Cultural Palace at the Diplomatic Quarters in Riyadh.
Sri Lanka’s Ambassador 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 the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka Vijitha Herath and the 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, friends of Sri Lanka as well as members of Sri Lankan community participated during this special occasion. 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).
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’ in cooperation with the Riyadh Municipality and with the participation of the Sri Lankan community in Riyadh to align with the Saudi Green Initiative under its Vision 2030.
Specially designed coat pins to mark the occasion of the 50th anniversary were also presented to the participants during the event. While a popular Saudi poet, Mohammed bin Salem bin Jalban Alkhatani recited an Arabic poem to mark the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations representing Saudi Arabia culture, Sri Lankan children performed a specially composed song to mark the occasion.
