Today, Sunday, in the Capital city of Riyadh, the works of the Saudi-Sri Lankan Joint Committee’s first session commenced, headed by H.E., Dr. Abdullah Abu Thaneen, HRSD’s Deputy Minister for Labor. On the other hand, the Sri Lankan side was headed by H.E., the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Tharaka Balasuriya It is expected that the Committee’s works will produce a number of agreements in the next stage.

During his speech, H.E., the Deputy Minister for Labor welcomed the Sri Lankan delegation, expressing his absolute confidence that the joint committee would enhance cooperation and strengthen ties between both countries. Besides, H.E., talked about the Kingdom’s interest in exploring the opportunities of cooperation between the Kingdom and Sri Lanka in different promising economic sectors.

 H.E. indicated the extinguished labor ties between both countries, evaluating the positive role of the Sri Lankan labors in supporting the labor market and the local economy.

In turn, in his opening speech, H.E., the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Tharaka Balasuriya indicated the depth of the relationship between the Kingdom and Sri Lanka. His speech included praise for the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the impressive goals achieved under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Abdulaziz, and H.H., the Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman. At the end of his speech, H.E. expressed his aspiration for the outputs of the joint committee meetings and gave many thanks for the good reception and hospitality provided to the Sri Lankan delegation.

Worth mentioning that the Saudi-Sri Lankan joint committee is a sub-committee of the general agreement signed in the year 1424 H. (2003 AD) which aims at encouraging cooperation between both countries in the economic, commercial and investment fields, including as well, scientific, technical and cultural fields and the matters related to youth and sports.