RIYADH: Sri Lanka’s ambassador in Riyadh, Omar Lebbe Ameer Ajwad, gave a speech on the 77th anniversary of Sri Lankan independence and 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom and Sri Lanka on Feb.5 at the Cultural Palace, Diplomatic Quarters in Riyadh on Feb.5.
“I take this opportunity to extend my sincere greetings to all the Sri Lankan nationals living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the occasion of the 77th Independence Day of Sri Lanka,” he said.
The envoy’s speech focused on Sri Lanka’s politics, tourism and economy.
He also highlighted the strong diplomatic relationship between Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka.
“Although the modern diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia were established 50 years ago, the ancient diplomatic relations between the two countries, in fact, began in the 7th century A.D., when the then King of Sri Lanka, called Aggabodhi III (623-640 AD) dispatched his ambassador from Sri Lanka to Madina Al-Munawwarah on a factfinding mission at the time of Prophet Muhammad to learn about the new religion of Islam. This incident is reported in the Ajaib-Al-Hind by Ibn Shahriyar,” he said.
