While extending appreciation for the steps taken to look after the health and safety of those Sri Lankans in Arab countries, Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that the government plans to bring the returnees from the region in a systematic manner.

Minister Gunawardena met the Ambassadors of Middle East Countries based in Colombo at the Ministry of Foreign Relations (MFR) on Monday and expressed gratitude through them to their respective Governments for the support and solidarity given to the people and Government of Sri Lanka during this unprecedented international situation of the spread of COVID –19, the ministry said in a statement.

Ambassadors and Head of Missions in attendance were Ambassador Abdulnaser H. Al Harthi of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Khalaf M.M. Bu Dhhair of Kuwait, Ambassador Hussein El Saharty of Egypt, Ambassador Zuhair Hamdallah Zaid of the State Palestine, Charge d’ Affaires in attendance were   Humaid Al Tamimi of UAE, Hamad Al Buainain of Qatar, Kutaiba Ahmed Alkero of Iraq and Minister Amar A. M. Muftah of Libya.

As the largest expatriate community that lives and works in the Middle East, Minister Gunawardena took the opportunity to extend appreciation for the steps taken to look after the health and safety of those Sri Lankans. He said that the Government plans to bring the returnees from the region in a systematic manner.

Minister Gunawardena further expressed Sri Lanka’s keen interest in enhancing and strengthening economic and trade ties with the region, especially through a Government to Government mechanism. The need to increase the market accessibility for Sri Lankan Tea and other products such as fruits and vegetable were highlighted by the Minister. He was optimistic that the socio-economic and political relations will be further strengthened by the Government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Minister Gunawardena emphasized that the Government of Sri Lanka will continue to follow a non-aligned friendly foreign policy. He recalled that Sri Lanka has consistently supported the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and their right to an independent, sovereign State based on the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.

He added that Sri Lanka’s commitment towards the Palestinian people, their safety and well-being remains undiminished.

While thanking for the development assistance granted by the Middle East region, such as the Saudi Fund for Development, Kuwait Fund and Other Funding Agencies, Minister Gunawardena welcomed such development assistance in future.

Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Relations Ravinatha Aryasinha also elaborated the actions taken by the Government on the smooth return of Sri Lankans.

Ambassador Zuhair Hamdallah Zaid of the State of Palestine thanked the Sri Lankan Government for its continuous support for the rights of the Palestinian people and he also recalled Sri Lanka’s excellent relations with the Middle East.

Along with Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha, senior officials of the Foreign Relations Ministry participated in the discussion.