Reception in Riyadh marks 77th Independence Day, 50th anniversary of Sri Lanka – Saudi Arabia ties

Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Saudi Arabia, Ameer Ajwad together with his spouse and the staff of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh hosted a diplomatic reception on 05 February at the Cultural Palace in the Diplomatic Quarters, to celebrate Sri Lanka’s 77th Independence Day and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The event was graced by Mayor of the Riyadh Region Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, attending as the chief guest of the event, representing the Government of Saudi Arabia. 

The celebration brought together over 400 distinguished guests, including high-ranking government officials from various ministries and institutions, Riyadh-based Ambassadors, diplomats, business leaders, professionals, academia, media personnel, friends of Sri Lanka and members of the Sri Lankan community in Saudi Arabia. 

Riyadh Mayor Prince Faisal bin Ayyaf, jointly with Ambassador Ameer Ajwad inaugurated the celebrations with a ceremonial cake-cutting to symbolise the strong long-standing bilateral ties. 

Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Ameer Ajwad underscored Sri Lanka’s political transformation and stability, highlighting the historic majority mandate won by the Government of Sri Lanka led by President Anura Kumara Disanayaka. He pointed out that the Parliament of Sri Lanka that represents all the communities of the country demonstrates the true spirit of Sri Lanka’s unity in diversity. 

The Ambassador also highlighted Sri Lanka’s strong economic recovery, bolstered by positive growth, low inflation, a boom in the tourism sector and a bullish stock market. Ambassador Ameer Ajwad specifically underlined the remarkable boom of Sri Lanka’s tourism sector and the resultant global testimonies and rankings by popular tourist journals such as Wanderlust Reader and BBC Travel’s Guide. He also pointed out that Sri Lanka has become a popular honeymoon destination among young Saudis and that the tourists from GCC countries have named Sri Lanka’s tourist destinations as “Jannathuddunya”, the paradise on the earth. 

Highlighting the growing interest of Sri Lanka’s private sector in Saudi market, Ambassador Ameer Ajwad pointed out that within the last a few months alone, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh facilitated for the first time, six Sri Lankan trade and service delegations to visit Saudi Arabia and participate in the Kingdom’s popular expos such as the Riyadh Travel Fair – 2024, Saudi Food Ex - 2024, Saudi Agriculture Expo -2024, Saudi Manpower Expo – 2024 and Saudi Handicraft Expo (Banan) – 2024. Eight Sri Lankan food and beverage companies also engaged in B2B meetings in January 2025 with their Saudi counterparts at the Riyadh and Dammam Chambers as well as the Saudi Federation of Chambers. 

Ambassador Ameer Ajwad also expressed his appreciation to Custodian of Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulazeez and Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud for the warm hospitality extended towards the large number of Sri Lankan citizens living and working in the Kingdom. He also extended his profound gratitude to the Government of Saudi Arabia for continued development assistance to Sri Lanka through the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD). Furthermore, he thanked King Salman Humanitarian and Relief Centre (KSrelief) for their continued humanitarian programmes in Sri Lanka. “As a country which shares the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, Sri Lanka wishes to partner with Saudi Arabia in all aspects of its 2030 agenda and grow together. To this end, both countries are well poised to synergies and forge partnerships by establishing collaborative ventures in all the areas of mutual interest”, Ambassador Ameer Ajwad stated. 

During the event, a specially designed logo to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations was unveiled jointly by Deputy Minister of Protocol Affairs of the Saudi Foreign Ministry, Abdul Majeed Al- Shammari and Ambassador Ameer Ajwad, together with Dean of the diplomatic corps, Ambassador Dya Eddine Bamakhrama. Special messages exchanged by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka Vijitha Herath and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations were also released. 

Traditional cultural performances were staged during the event: the popular Saudi poet Mohammed bin Salem bin Jalban Alkhatani recited an Arabic poem while Sri Lankan children performed a specially composed song. The popular Saudi Arabic calligrapher Ahmed Hussein Araqib wrote the names of the guests in Arabic Diwani calligraphy and presented them to the guests. Moreover, Sri Lanka’s attractive tourist destinations were screened. 

The event concluded with a networking session where the guests enjoyed authentic Sri Lankan cuisine prepared by Sri Lankan chefs in Riyadh.