Lankan Ambassador calls on PM of Bahrain

Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa with Sri Lankan Ambassador to Bahrain, Dr Saj Mendis, during the meeting at the Gudaibiya Palace in Manama, Bahrain

The newly appointed Ambassador of Sri Lanka, Dr A. Saj U. Mendis, called on Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa at the Gudaibiya Palace, after presenting the Credence to the King of Bahrain. The Prime Minister was accompanied by his Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers , Senior Advisers and other senior officials of the Palace of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister welcomed the new envoy, Dr Mendis, and stated that bilateral relations, in all spheres, have been progressing steadily, particularly, with the active participation of a competent, disciplined and committed expatriate workforce from Sri Lanka.

The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain is the longest serving Prime Minister in 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 fruitful and constructive. The Ambassador said  that since the historic visit of the Bahraini Prime Minister in 2009, relations between the two countries had further  deepened, strengthened and elevated to an unprecedented scale. Ambassador Dr Mendis conveyed greetings and appreciation from the President and the 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 facilities extended by the Government of Bahrain in securing a large number of employment opportunities to nationals of Sri Lanka, particularly, skilled, highly trained personnel and professionals. He accentuated that the Government of Bahrain extended a favorable environment and conditions for Sri Lankan workers to live and work in, contentedly, thus mutually benefiting both the countries.

Ambassador Dr Mendis highlighted the vitality of the migrant workers from Sri Lanka as they contribute to nearly 9% of the GDP, which is higher than the combined total contribution of the garment, tourism and tea sectors, thus enunciating the significance of migrant workers for Sri Lanka. The Prime Minister also stated that expatriate Sri Lankan workers  contributed to the advancement and evolution of the Kingdom of Bahrain, during the past decades. The Bahrain Prime Minister underscored that Sri Lanka is on a rapid economic trajectory as opposed to many other countries in the world. 

Ambassador Dr Mendis stated that Sri Lanka is focusing extensively on economic diplomacy and seeks employment opportunities in highly skilled and skilled provinces such as financial services, ITES, trade, management, medical services and engineering, among others. Dr Mendis 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, such as at regional and at international forums and conferences including that of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. In this context, Dr Mendis expounded the measures taken by the new 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 of Bahrain reiterated that both Sri Lanka and the Kingdom of Bahrain are island nation states and Bahrain would be eager to boost and to bolster economic and commercial cooperation, thus leading to the expansion and diversification of the economic base.