Sri Lankan Embassy in Saudi gets new Information Centre

MOHAMMED RASOOLDEEN in Riyadh

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Saudi Arabia has opened a new Information Centre, introducing new facilities for Saudis and Sri Lankan expatriates, such as providing visit visas to Sri Lanka within 10 minutes.

Announcing the mission’s improved services at the inauguration of an Information Centre at the embassy, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador Abdul Ageed Mohamed Marleen said that the new services would include the issuance of visit visas to Sri Lanka within 10 minutes and the newly opened information centre would give ample information about the island’s natural resources, tourism, products and services for foreigners who would like to harness the potentials of the country.

He added that the products are beautifully displayed in showcases and an information officer will be available to advise local businessmen on the opportunities available in the country.

“Sri Lanka is a country blessed with natural resources to attract Saudi tourists for a family holiday. It is a land not well known in this part of the world. We would like to project the island as a tourist destination to Saudis and expatriates living here,” he said. Around 2000 Saudis had visited the country during last year.”

We hope to enhance this figure through organized programs.

Hamid Ansari Ambassador of Nepal and Maldivian Ambassador Hussein Shihab were also present at the function.

Enumerating the features added to the existing mission’s headquarters in Riyadh, the envoy said: “We have done a beautiful landscape outside the embassy premises to give a cozy look for the visitors. They include a waterfall, swimming pool and a spacious waiting hall.” Those in the waiting area could avail themselves of tea, coffee and water to refresh themselves during the office hours,” he said.

He also said that the labor division has been given a spacious area to accommodate the large number of countrymen who come for labor welfare work.

He said that these services include renewal of workers registration with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) and workers welfare activities.

“We have a separate section for the runaway domestic aides,” he said , pointing out that the numbers of distressed workers are less compared to the island’s worker population in the Kingdom. Some 550,000 Lankan workers are concentrated in the Kingdom and around 80 percent are housemaids working in Saudi households.

The envoy also thanked businessmen and organizations that helped him to provide these services. Zawfir Ziard, Chief Executive Officer of Unique Choice International, Riyaz Yusuf from Serendib Toastmasters Club, a representative from Hada Water, SAM Rasdeen president of the Sri Lankan Expatriates Society (SLES) received special mementos from the ambassador for contributing to the success of the new project.

Acknowledging the award, Ziard said that Sri Lanka is the only country in the world that has the best features for tourism. “Saudis have shown interest in visiting the island during the recent months.” This could be improved with an organized campaign to promote Sri Lanka as a tourist destination,” he said, recalling that his company was the first travel group to encourage Saudi tourists to visit the island.

Thanking the embassy for its unstinted cooperation given to the SLES, Rasdeen said, the society that has been in existence for the past 19 years, has rendered useful services to its community members in a wide range of fields that include recreation, workers welfare and health, religious and cultural celebrations.

“We have also extended our assistance to our community members in Sri Lanka who needed medical equipment, relief following the tsunami, deep water wells and scholarships for students,” he stressed.