By Ashraff A.Samad

The Kuwait Government has gifted 25 tons of dates in view of the fasting period for the Ramadan Festival commencing next week. 

The Kuwaiti Embassy in Colombo yesterday (08 Feb) distributed dates to 16 Muslim Organizations under a special Ramadan programme. 

The dates are to be distributed through 16 Muslim charitable organizations registered in Kuwait and Sri Lanka.

The Kuwait donors visited Sri Lanka, meeting Dr. Mansoor Jabbar, Charge de affairs of the Kuwaiti Embassy in Sri Lanka. Acting Ambassador Abdullah Al Muhannaz presented the consignment of dates.  

This project was coordinated by the Al Hima organization Director, As-Shekh Noor Ullah Moulavi and Moulavi M. Ishaq. (Newswire)

The post Kuwait donates 25 tons of dates for Ramadan in Sri Lanka appeared first on Newswire.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved tax relief for dates imported as donations or gifts for free distribution during the upcoming Ramadan fasting season, which will be observed from February 19 to March 21, 2026.

The decision applies to dates brought into the country by diplomatic missions, organizations, and individuals, provided the imports are made without the use of foreign exchange.

The proposal was submitted by the Minister of Buddhism, Religious, and Cultural Affairs. (Newswire)

The post Tax relief for donated dates during Ramadan 2026 appeared first on Newswire.

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has raided a warehouse in Wattala, seizing 3,620 kg of expired dates that were being stored for sale.

According to the CAA, the seized dates are estimated to be worth Rs. 6.5 million.

Following the raid, the expired stock was immediately sealed, and legal action was taken against those responsible.

The CAA said that this action ensured consumers were protected from unsafe and expired food products. (Newswire)

The post Over 3000 kg of expired dates seized in Wattala appeared first on Newswire.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in Saudi Arabia has gifted 50 tons of dates to Sri Lanka. 

The donation was handed over by the Saudi Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Khalid bin Hamoud Alkahtani in the presence of Sri Lanka’s Minister of Religious Affairs Hiniduma Sunil Senavi.

According to the Saudi Embassy, the event was attended by Sri Lankan Ministers, Members of Parliament, Government Officials, and representatives of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center. (Newswire)

The post Saudi gifts 50 tons of dates to Sri Lanka appeared first on Newswire.

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has presented a gift from the Custodian of the two holy mosques to Sri Lanka, which contains 50 tons of dates. 

According to the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Sri Lanka, Ambassador Khalid Hamoud Al-Kahtani officially handed over this shipment of dates to the Sri Lankan authorities during a ceremony held at the headquarters of the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs today (Mar 06). 

The shipment of dates was handed over to the Secretary of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Somarathna Vithanapatirana, and the Director, Department of the Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs under the Ministry Zain Al-Abidin Faisal in the presence of representatives of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, the Sri Lankan Ambassador-designate to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ameer Ajwad, and several officials from Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government Departments, and Embassy officials.

The Saudi Ambassador praised the great humanitarian efforts undertaken by the King Salman Relief Center around the world, which reflect the keenness of the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister to stand with brotherly and friendly countries and peoples in various circumstances and tribulations. 

Noting the strength of relations between the Kingdom and the friendly Republic of Sri Lanka, the Ambassador requested the potential beneficiaries of this gift to communicate with the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs swiftly to obtain the Kingdom’s gift to the Sri Lankan people and benefit from it, especially in the holy month of Ramadan.

For his part, the Secretary of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, extended his sincere thanks to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister for all the assistance provided to the Sri Lankan people. Pointing out that this is not surprising given the Kingdom of Humanity and its unlimited generous giving throughout all parts of the globe.

The Saudi Embassy said this gift comes within the programs offered by the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and HRH Crown Prince to several brotherly and friendly countries to reach the most needy families in different regions of the world. (NewsWire)

The post Ramadan : Saudi Arabia gifts 50 tons of dates for Sri Lanka appeared first on Newswire.

A government notification has been issued announcing the reduction in the special commodity levy for Dates, subject to conditions, in view of the upcoming Ramadan festival in Sri Lanka. 

According to the notification, the special commodity levy for Dates has been reduced from Rs. 200 per kilo to Rs. 1 per kilo effective from March 02 to April 11, 2024.

The reduction in the special commodity levy is only applicable for Dates received as donations or gifts on no foreign exchange basis from any foreign governments, or organizations, including business entities, volunteer associations and well-wishers. (NewsWire)

The post Dates for Ramadan : New government notification appeared first on Newswire.