Sri Lankan Ambassador bids farewell to Prime Minister and Principal Advisor of Kingdom of Bahrain

The outgoing Ambassador Dr. Mendis being greeted by Principal Advisor Salman Bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, at Gudaibiya Palace 

The outgoing Ambassador of Sri Lanka Dr A. Saj U. Mendis called on Bahraini Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and Principal Advisor to the Prime Minister Salman Bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, at the Gudaibiya Palace, before his departure from the Kingdom of Bahrain. Dr. Mendis served as the Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain for over three years, and is being transferred as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Korea. 

The Prime Minister was accompanied by his Principal Advisor, Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers and Advisers and other senior most officials of the Palace of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister welcomed the outgoing Envoy Dr Mendis and stated that the bilateral relations, in all spheres, have been progressing steadily, particularly, with the pro-active participation of a competent, disciplined, dedicated and honest expatriate workforce from Sri Lanka.

The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain is the longest serving Prime Minister of the world since he assumed office in 1970. The Prime Minister stated that the last occasion that he visited Sri Lanka was in July of 2009, and added that the visit was highly productive and constructive. 

Ambassador Dr. Mendis added that since the historic visit of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2009, the relations between the two countries have further widened, deepened, strengthened, and elevated to an unmatched scale.  Ambassador Dr. Mendis conveyed the greetings and appreciation from the President and Prime Minister of Sri Lanka to the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Ambassador Dr Mendis further expressed sincere appreciation and gratitude on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka for the opportunities and facilities extended by the Government of Bahrain in securing a large number of employment opportunities to nationals of Sri Lanka, particularly, semi-skilled, skilled and professionals in all disciplines and trades. 

Dr. Mendis also emphasised that the Government of Bahrain has extended a favourable and affable environment and ambiance for Sri Lankan workers to live and work contentedly in Bahrain, thus mutually benefiting both countries. Ambassador Dr. Mendis further accentuated the seminality and criticality of migrant/expatriate workers for Sri Lanka as they contribute nearly 9% of the GDP, which is almost equivalent to the combined total contribution of the garment sector, tourism and tea, thus impressing the significance and impact of migrant workers for Sri Lanka.  The Prime Minister and the Principal Advisor also stated that the expatriate Sri Lankan workers have contributed to the advancement and evolution of the Kingdom of Bahrain, during the past decades. The Prime Minister and the Principal Advisor also underscored that Sri Lanka is on an economic and investment trajectory opposed to many other countries in the world, particularly in the context of tourism and manufacturing. It was also noted that Principal Advisor Salman Bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa led a 15-member delegation of corporate captains from Bahrain to attend the “Economic & Investment Conclave of Sri Lanka” a couple of years ago.

Dr. Mendis stated that Sri Lanka is focusing extensively on economic and commercial diplomacy and is seeking employment opportunities in highly skilled and skilled provinces and categories, such as financial services, ITES, trade, management, medical services and engineering, amongst others. 

Dr. Mendis also took the opportunity to express gratitude, on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, to the Kingdom of Bahrain for extending support, assistance and cooperation, particularly, at most testing times, at regional and at international forums and conferences including the Human Rights Council in Geneva.  In this context, Dr. Mendis expounded the measures taken by the Government in order to address National Reconciliation on a comprehensive, efficacious and holistic basis, thus encompassing all nationalities, ethnicities, religions, casts and creeds. 

The Prime Minister and Principal Advisor reiterated that both Sri Lanka and Kingdom of Bahrain are island nation states and Bahrain would be eager to aggrandise and to bolster economic, investment, trade and commercial cooperation, thus leading to the expansion and diversification of the respective economic base. 

The Prime Minister and Principal Advisor as well as other dignitaries at the Gudaibiya Palace expressed that the relations between the two countries, now, have reached an unprecedented plateau, which both the countries could unleash and duly exploit, particularly in the context of economic and investment activity.