Lankan Ambassador discusses close ties with Bahrain Deputy PM

The Ambassador of Sri Lanka, Dr A. Saj U. Mendis, called on the Second Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Shaikh Mohamed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa at the Gudaibiya Palace in order to discuss closer cooperation and engagement between the two countries. 

Mubarak Al Khalifa, a Member of the Royal Family of the Kingdom and one of the senior most political leaders, has been the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1970 to 2005, until he was appointed the Second Deputy Prime Minister. 

Mubarak Al Khalifa, began his career as a Judge and then moved to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, rising to be the Minister. His 35-year tenure as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom was amongst the longest in the world. He has also served as the Minister of Information, on the Supreme Ruling Council, Supreme Defence Council and Economic Development Board, among others. Mubarak Al Khalifa played an instrumental role in negotiations in order to earn the Independence of the State of Bahrain as well as the membership of the United Nations.

Whilst Deputy Prime Minister welcomed Ambassador Dr Saj Mendis, he stated that he attended the Non-Aligned Conference in Sri Lanka in 1976 and had visited Kandy and several other places in Sri Lanka. Ambassador further added that since the historic visit of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2009, the relations between the two countries got further deepened, strengthened and elevated to an unprecedented scale. Ambassador Dr Mendis conveyed the greetings and appreciation from the President and the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka to Deputy 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, skilled, highly trained and professionals. He also accentuated that the Government of Bahrain extended a favorable environment and ambiance for Sri Lankan workers to live and work, contentedly, in Bahrain, thus mutually benefiting both the countries.  

The Deputy Prime Minister also stated that the expatriate Sri Lankan workers have contributed to the advancement and evolution of the Kingdom of Bahrain, during the past decades.

Ambassador Dr Mendis stated that Sri Lanka is focusing extensively on economic diplomacy and is seeking employment opportunities in highly skilled and skilled provinces such as financial services, ITES, trade, management, medical services and engineering, among 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. The Deputy Prime Minister reiterated that both Sri Lanka and 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.