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| Monday, 29 March 2004 |
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by Mohammed Rasooldeen in Riyadh The Sri Lankan embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia will set up a library within its premises to promote bilateral understanding between the peoples of the two countries. The library will be open to the members of the public including men and women during office hours of the mission from Saturday through Wednesday. "The proposed library is aimed at projecting the true image of Sri Lanka among the people in the Kingdom" the envoy said, adding that books and literature in English and Arabic will be freely available for the members of the public. It will also have a reference library. Ansar said a library of this nature will be the second to be set up among the 46 foreign missions of Sri Lanka after the Sri Lanka High Commission in London. Sri Lanka's ambassador, Ibrahim Sahib Ansar solicited donations in cash or kind for the establishment of the proposed library at the 11th Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lankan Expatriates Society (SLES) in Riyadh, Friday. He pointed out that every Sri Lankan in the Kingdom can be an ambassador of goodwill. Ansar cited an example of a Sri Lankan housemaid who was instrumental in promoting Sri Lanka by being a loyal domestic aide for 18 years in a mansion which belongs to a highly influential Saudi. The new office-bearers for the ensuing year returned uncontested at the meeting presided over by the outgoing president S. K. Subramaniam. A 15-member committee was elected on the occasion. They included Conrad De Lima - President, Mohamed Illyas and Xavier Arulandoo - Vice Presidents, Sanjay Nayagam, Secretary, Gamini Jayasekera, Treasurer and Manel Gamage, Editor of the SLES Newsletter. While reading out the annual report of the SLES, the outgoing secretary Sam Rasdeen said during 2003, the society was able to build 100 houses for the recent flood victims, construct rainwater wells in drought-hit areas of the island, supply Rs. 1 million worth of medical equipment to Jaffna Hospital, adopt 50 orphans and hold a Sports Day in the Saudi capital. The society conducts a free medical clinic for the Lankan expatriates at the Sri Lankan International School in Riyadh. Rasdeen said 2003 it was a landmark year because of the support and guidance given by general membership and Ambassador Ansar. He further hoped that the society will concentrate more on helping the less fortunate people back at home. De Lima, the new president pledged that he would keep alive the traditions and values of the society during his tenure. |
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