Kingdom of Bahrain Crown Prince meets new Lankan Ambassador to discuss Sri Lanka-Bahrain relations

Kingdom of Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa (right) with the Ambassador of Sri Lanka Dr. Saj Mendis, during the meeting at the Gudaibiya Palace in Manama, Bahrain

Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain's Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister met with the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Dr. A. Saj U. Mendis, at Gudaibiya Palace, last week. 

The Crown Prince was accompanied by Salman Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Advisor to the Office of the First Deputy Prime Minister, during the meeting with Dr. Mendis. The Crown Prince welcomed the new envoy and stated that the bilateral relations in all spheres had been progressing steadily between the two countries. 

The Crown Prince also said that he was heartened to note the deepening and elevation of bilateral relations with Sri Lanka, which in turn, enhances and augments economic, commercial, industrial, trade and cultural relations between the two countries.

Prince Salman bin Hamad was sworn in as the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Bahrain in March 1999. Ambassador Dr Mendis conveyed the greetings and appreciation from the President and the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka to the Crown Prince 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 Kingdom of Bahrain in securing a large number of employment opportunities for nationals of Sri Lanka, particularly, skilled, highly trained and professionals. He also highlighted that the Government of Bahrain extended a favorable environment and ambiance for Sri Lankan workers to live and to work, contentedly, in Bahrain, thus mutually benefiting both the countries. Ambassador Dr Mendis enunciated the vitality of the migrant workers for the economy of Sri Lanka since they contribute, financially, more than any other sector in the country. He further expressed deep appreciation and gratitude, on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, for extending support, facilitation and cooperation to Sri Lanka at international and multilateral forums and conferences such as the Human Rights Council in Geneva, thus patently and manifestly demonstrating the solidarity with Sri Lanka.

The Crown Prince acknowledged the potential of the country, particularly, in the realm of economic, touristic and commercial advancement since peace and stability are being entrenched and well established in the country with the election of the new Government. 

The Crown Prince also stated that the bilateral visits between the Kingdom of Bahrain and South Asian countries including that of Sri Lanka play an instrumental and seminal role in bolstering and boosting bilateral relations in all spheres. 

The Crown Prince reiterated that both Sri Lanka and the Kingdom of Bahrain are island nation states and Bahrain would be eager to be proactively engaged in economic and commercial cooperation, thus leading to the expansion and diversification of the economic base. 

Ambassador Dr. Mendis expressed his gratitude for extending an audience with the Crown Prince and assured that Sri Lanka would be committed to further widen, deepen, strengthen and elevate the bilateral ties with the Kingdom of Bahrain.