76th National Day of Sri Lanka

I extend my sincere congratulations and warm felicitations to all Sri Lankan nationals living in Saudi Arabia on the happy and auspicious occasion of the 76th National Day of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka has a proud history of more than 2,500 years, during which it was dominated by foreign powers for 443 years. Sri Lanka regained its independence exactly 76 years ago today.

Our post-independence journey has had its ups and downs, like any other country. We have encountered challenges and opportunities. We faced both natural and manmade calamities, successfully navigating the Tsunami devastation of 2004 and 26 years of armed conflict.

In addition, we have also faced economic challenges in recent years, compounded by the global economic crisis resulting from the Ukraine-Russia conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, the path of our recovery is steady and encouraging. Sri Lanka’s inflation, which was 70 percent in September 2022, has now dropped to less than 5 percent. The rupee has stabilized and, in fact, appreciated by about 15 percent from its peak against the US dollar. Remittances have seen a 60 percent increase year on year from 2022-2023. Tourism experienced annual growth of 106 percent in 2023, and our reserves, which were at $20 million in April 2022, have risen to $4.5 billion. Sri Lanka recorded its lowest trade deficit in 13 years in 2023.

Certainly, conditions are not perfect, but Sri Lankans have once again shown tremendous resilience in weathering one of the most difficult periods of modern times. I am confident that Sri Lanka is within touching distance of achieving its true potential.

In spite of the difficulties, we excelled in our social indicators, which are parallel to the developed world thanks to our heavy investment in education and health.

Relations between Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka are based on common values, mutual respect, non-interference, and respect for sovereignty. Both countries support each other in international fora.

Sri Lanka-Saudi Arabia relations date back several centuries. Sri Lanka was a pivotal point on the historic silk route extensively used by Arab traders. In ancient times, Arabs referred to Sri Lanka as “Serendip,” from which the English word serendipity comes.

Relations between Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka are based on common values, mutual respect, non-interference, and respect for sovereignty. Both countries support each other in international fora.

Sri Lankan leaders, on numerous occasions, have expressed their admiration for Saudi Vision 2030, a well-thought-out strategy that takes into consideration Saudi Arabia’s strengths and capabilities, as well as the impressive progress that has been made so far under the able leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in realizing its objectives. Sri Lankan leaders have also articulated their impressions of the introduction of the massive development projects embarked upon in the Kingdom recently as part of Vision 2030.

Sri Lanka, as one of the first countries to support the Kingdom’s bid to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh, was pleased to witness its recent resounding victory and its confirmation as host.

The past two years have been extremely productive for Sri Lanka-Saudi Arabia relations. In March 2022, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the foreign minister of Saudi Arabia, visited Sri Lanka — the first foreign ministerial visit from the Kingdom to Sri Lanka since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1974. Last year, Ali Sabry, the minister of foreign affairs of Sri Lanka, visited the Kingdom, further enhancing positive vibes in our relations.

Over the past two years, nearly a dozen ministerial visits have taken place between Colombo and Riyadh, with the latest being the visit of Faisal Alibrahim, Saudi minister of economy and planning, in November 2023. This visit played a crucial role in outlining a roadmap for future economic cooperation between the two countries. Additionally, both nations have signed three agreements covering the avoidance of double taxation, foreign employment, and political consultation in the past year. Two more agreements on judicial cooperation have been finalized and are ready for signature.

The first session of the joint commission between the two countries was held in Riyadh in May 2023. During this session, 63 areas covering trade, industry, investment, energy, finance, economy, transport, communication, agriculture, education, health, sports, culture, tourism, security, judicial, and labor were identified for further cooperation.

In 2023, there was a qualitative and quantitative increase in employment opportunities for Sri Lankans in Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom has become the No. 1 destination for Sri Lankan expats, generating 63,000 jobs for Sri Lankans last year. We have also witnessed an increase in professional, skilled, and semi-skilled workers during 2023, thanks to the growing employment opportunities in the construction and hospitality sectors in the Kingdom. Of the annual remittances to Sri Lanka, amounting to between $7 and 8 billion a year, 15 to 20 percent have been generated by Sri Lankans living in the Kingdom.

It is also pertinent to note that the interest of Saudi nationals in visiting Sri Lanka is gaining momentum following several promotional events held with the active participation of numerous tour operators, media representatives, and social media influencers. Among other activities, the Ibn Battuta Trail Travel Package, tracing the path of the 14th-century traveler Ibn Battuta, which includes Adam’s Peak, was officially reintroduced.

We are also grateful to the Kingdom for rescuing 32 Sri Lankans from Sudan last year and for extending help in transporting a consignment of Ceylon tea from Sri Lanka via Riyadh to Gaza for our brothers and sisters in Palestine.

Our leadership in Sri Lanka also values the messages of felicitations from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the occasion of our National Day. I humbly submit that our leaders and people greatly appreciate the message of friendship and felicitations.

Long live Sri Lanka-Saudi Arabia relations.

• Pakeer Mohideen Amza is the ambassador of Sri Lanka to Saudi Arabia.