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Lankans in Saudi Arabia celebrate New Year

by Mohammed Rasooldeen in Riyadh

Sri Lankans in Saudi Arabia should not only live in amity but also learn to co-exist with others in the Kingdom, said the Sri Lankan Ambassador Ibrahim Sahib Ansar on Friday.

The envoy was addressing a large gathering of Sri Lankans in the capital at a function held to celebrate the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. The celebrations were organized by the Sri Lankan Expatriates Society (SLES) in Riyadh and the function was held under the direct supervision of the society's president S. K. Subramaniam.

Ansar said that he was glad that the members of the Sri Lankan community have earned a good reputation from their Saudi sponsors for their hard work, efficiency and loyalty. He also promised that he would be in a position to find a suitable accommodation for his expatriate community to nurture cultural activities among its members. He pointed out that the mission would be able to solicit the support and assistance of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, (SLBFE), for such a project which would look after the Sri Lankan's interests in the Kingdom.

Subramaniam said that the celebration is an annual feature where members of the community meet and greet one another. "This is a happy occasion for all Sri Lankans irrespective of all differences," he added.

The day's program was spiced with the traditional Avurudu sweet meats and games. Meanwhile, embassy is busy making arrangements to observe the Vesak day in a fitting manner on Thursday, May 15. According to the ambassador, the program will start at 7.30 p.m. and the mission has chalked out a program which includes religious discourses, a speech on the significance of Vesak and the recital of Bhakthi Gee by the students of the Sri Lankan International School here.

A Dhansala will also be held for Sri Lankans in the Kingdom where traditional delicacies will be served.

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