COLOMBO: The newly appointed leadership of the Saudi-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Association has pledged to enhance bilateral ties between the two countries by focusing on people-to-people connections, which have been bolstered by Saudi Arabia’s emphasis on tourism.
Established in Riyadh in 2002, the parliamentary association aims to strengthen cooperation between members of Sri Lanka’s Parliament and Saudi Shoura councilors across various fields of collaboration.
Naseer Ahamed, the Minister of Environment, who was elected as the association’s president on May 10, expressed his commitment to addressing economic, political, social, and cultural issues during his tenure.
“In the larger context of the Middle East and South Asia region and geopolitical priorities, I look at the need for stronger relations. I hope to take that to the next level,” Ahamed told Arab News.
Having studied at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Ahamed has maintained ties with the Kingdom for decades.
He entered Sri Lankan politics in the 1990s and has held positions such as member of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, presidential advisor, and chief minister of the Eastern Province.
In April of last year, he was appointed as Minister of Environment, with additional responsibility for overseeing Middle Eastern affairs.
People-to-people relations between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia
Ahamed emphasized the significance of people-to-people relations in establishing stronger ties between nations.
He welcomed the increased opportunities for fostering such connections as Saudi Arabia has opened its doors to tourism, following substantial investments in tourism infrastructure under Vision 2030.
The most recent visit by a Saudi Shoura delegation to Sri Lanka took place in 2019, prior to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ahamed outlined his plans to promote interaction among members of the parliamentary association, aiming to facilitate new collaborations between the two countries.
“There are several areas where the two countries could develop new areas of cooperation. The association will provide the necessary platform to extend areas of cooperation to new fields of interest,” he stated.
