Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ameer Ajwad, has met Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Raed bin Abdullah Al-Kurmaili for discussions on strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

According to the Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh, the two officials exchanged views on matters of mutual interest and explored avenues to further expand cooperation and engagement between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia.

The Embassy said the meeting also reaffirmed the commitment of both sides to further strengthen the longstanding relations between the two countries.

Second Secretary and Head of Chancery Damithri Samangika accompanied Ambassador Ajwad at the meeting. (Newswire)

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A collective of Tamil and Muslim party MPs has made a joint appeal to Saudi Arabia seeking Royal clemency for Sri Lankan migrant worker Anojan Sivarasa, who is facing a death sentence in the Kingdom.

In a letter dated September 24 and addressed to the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, the MPs appealed for urgent and compassionate assistance to spare Anojan from punishment and save his life.

The MPs said they had learned that Anojan’s original sentence of five years’ imprisonment and a fine had been enhanced to a death sentence following proceedings before a higher court. 

Recent reports on the case have also confirmed that his initial prison sentence was subsequently increased to a death sentence.

The letter states that Anojan had immediately retracted and deleted the Facebook comment connected to the case and had also apologised. The MPs maintained that he had not intended to disrespect or offend Islam.

They also called on the Sri Lankan Government to provide Parliament and the public with confirmed information on the case, including the nature of the offence, the legal and diplomatic measures taken and Anojan’s current situation.

The MPs appealed to the Saudi Government to consider the case on humanitarian grounds and grant Anojan royal clemency, citing the values of tolerance and empathy.

The appeal comes as both Government and opposition representatives pursue diplomatic efforts seeking clemency for Anojan. (Newswire)

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The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) has sought an urgent meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to discuss diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a pardon and release for 26-year-old Sivarasa Anojan, who has been handed a death sentence in Saudi Arabia.

In a letter addressed to President Dissanayake dated September 22, ITAK said it wanted to discuss the way forward in securing a pardon and release for Anojan and urged urgent action in view of the seriousness of his situation.

The letter, signed by ITAK President C.V.K. Sivagnanam and General Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran PC, also nominated Ampara District MP Kavendran Kodeeswaran to represent the party on a delegation expected to travel to Saudi Arabia.

“We write this letter to seek an urgent meeting with yourself to discuss the way forward in securing a pardon and release of this young man,” the party stated in its letter to the President.

ITAK said Kodeeswaran had been nominated following an announcement made in Parliament by the Minister of Foreign Affairs regarding a delegation that would proceed to Saudi Arabia.

The party said it was anxiously awaiting an early response from the President regarding its request for a meeting.

In a separate statement issued on September 23, ITAK said its MPs had held discussions with diplomatic missions in Colombo and representatives of several countries over the past several days in an effort to secure international support for Anojan.

According to ITAK Parliamentary Group Leader, MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, those diplomatic representatives had been briefed on the facts of Anojan’s case as presently known to ITAK, while their support had been sought for efforts aimed at securing a pardon and his eventual release.

MP Shanakiyan said diaspora organisations working closely with the party had also contacted governments and relevant authorities in the countries where they operate, seeking diplomatic and humanitarian support in relation to the case.

Following these engagements, he said it had identified additional diplomatic avenues and proposals which it believes should be urgently considered by the Sri Lankan Government.

The Batticaloa District MP further said that it now wants to brief President Dissanayake directly on the diplomatic engagements already undertaken and present specific proposals for further action.

Among the options being proposed is seeking assistance from friendly countries which may be in a position to support Sri Lanka in its engagement with the Saudi Arabian authorities.

MP Shanakiyan stressed that all available avenues should be pursued through coordinated, high-level diplomatic engagement alongside the ongoing consular and diplomatic efforts of the Sri Lankan Government.

He said its objective was to ensure that every possible effort was made to secure a pardon and the safe release of Anojan.

The MP also said that the ITAK has expressed its willingness to work with President Dissanayake, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, diplomatic partners, diaspora organisations and other relevant parties in pursuing the matter. (Newswire)

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A Sri Lankan delegation led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya or, at minimum, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath should engage with Saudi Arabian authorities in an effort to save Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa from the death sentence, Opposition MP Mujibur Rahman said today (23).

Addressing Parliament, MP Rahman said the matter was too serious to be handled by a delegation led by Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih, as announced by the Government, and called for diplomatic engagement at the highest possible level.

He proposed that the Deputy Speaker be included in the delegation together with former ministers who are MPs in the Opposition who have experience dealing with the Saudi Arabian Government.

“This is not an issue that can be resolved at the level of the Deputy Speaker. This is a far more serious issue. It would be even better if the discussions are led at the Presidential level. If the President is unable to do so, the Prime Minister or, at the very least, the Foreign Minister must lead the delegation to save the life of this youth,” Rahman said.

The Opposition MP also questioned the handling of Sivarasa’s case by the Foreign Ministry and the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), alleging that serious mistakes had been made in obtaining legal advice and appealing his initial sentence.

According to Rahman, Sivarasa was arrested on July 2 under Saudi Arabia’s cybercrime laws and sentenced on July 15 after pleading guilty. He said the initial sentence was five years’ imprisonment and a fine, with the proceedings concluding within approximately two weeks.

Rahman claimed that despite the case having concluded following Sivarasa’s guilty plea, an appeal was subsequently filed.

He alleged that the appeal was made following incorrect legal advice involving legal professionals connected to the Foreign Ministry and a law firm in Saudi Arabia.

According to Rahman, the Saudi Attorney General’s Office subsequently challenged the appeal, following which a judgment imposing the death sentence was issued under Saudi law.

The MP argued that instead of appealing the initial court ruling, the Sri Lankan Government should have pursued the matter diplomatically with the King of Saudi Arabia after Sivarasa received the original prison sentence.

“They should not have appealed this in court. After the initial sentence, the Government should have taken the matter directly to the King of Saudi Arabia. We do not know on whose advice they appealed after the youth had accepted the charges and pleaded guilty. This is the mistake that has been made,” he said.

Rahman also alleged that Rs. 1.8 million had been obtained from Sivarasa’s parents for expenses related to the case and questioned why funds available through the SLBFE or insurance arrangements could not have been utilised. He noted that the Government had since indicated that the money would be reimbursed.

Drawing comparisons with previous cases, Rahman said three Sri Lankan women had faced death sentences in Saudi Arabia during the Yahapalana Government and claimed that swift intervention by the Foreign Ministry had resulted in the sentences being suspended.

He said that although the women had served prison terms before returning to Sri Lanka, they ultimately did not face execution.

Rahman called on the Foreign Minister to table in Parliament the judgment relating to Sivarasa’s death sentence, saying it would allow MPs to establish the sequence of events surrounding the appeal and subsequent legal action.

The Opposition MP reiterated that the Government should make use of politicians with previous experience dealing with Saudi Arabian authorities and pursue the issue through high-level diplomatic channels in an effort to save Sivarasa’s life. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced that the government will take steps to make a formal written diplomatic appeal to the King of Saudi Arabia seeking a pardon for Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa, who has been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia.

The President made the announcement following a meeting with Sivarasa’s parents in Colombo.

During the meeting, President Dissanayake assured the family that the government was making every possible effort to secure a pardon for their son.

He explained that the government was intervening through both legal and diplomatic channels to address the situation.

The President said steps would be taken to formally appeal to the Saudi King in writing, seeking clemency for Sivarasa.

Sivarasa’s family has been seeking urgent intervention after being informed that his initial sentence of five years’ imprisonment and a fine of 3 million Saudi riyals had been increased to a death sentence following an appeal.

The case stems from a social media comment reportedly deemed insulting to Islam and the Prophet Muhammad.

The Foreign Ministry previously confirmed that it was engaging with Saudi authorities through diplomatic channels but had not formally confirmed the reported death sentence, pending receipt of the written court judgment. (Newswire)

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Protests and signature campaigns were held in several parts of Sri Lanka calling for the release of Anojan Sivarasa, a Sri Lankan youth who now faces a death sentence in Saudi Arabia.

A protest was staged at Malliyappu junction in Hatton town, while a signature campaign was launched in Natpidimunai, Ampara, Anojan’s birthplace. 

Organisers said the petition, urging the government to take appropriate diplomatic measures to secure his release, will be handed over to the Foreign Ministry.

The case stems from a social media comment allegedly posted by Sivarasa while working in Saudi Arabia, which was deemed insulting to Islam and the Prophet Muhammad. His family said the comment was made during an online dispute involving religious communities in Sri Lanka.

On July 15, a Saudi court sentenced him to five years in prison and imposed a fine of three million Saudi riyals. 

His lawyer, supported by Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry, appealed the ruling seeking a reduction in punishment. However, according to his family, they have since been informed that the sentence was increased to capital punishment.

Several opposition MPs and former MPs have called on the government to intervene and ensure the release of Anojan, while the government has announced that it has already taken necessary measures in this regard. (Newswire) 

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The mother of Sri Lankan migrant worker Sivarasa Anojan, who has reportedly been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia, has appealed to the Sri Lankan government and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to bring him back safely to the country.

According to reports, the Saudi Arabian Appellate Court has issued a death sentence against Anojan over a Facebook comment deemed insulting to the Prophet Muhammad.

Sri Lanka is pursuing both legal and diplomatic efforts to assist him, with officials confirming that discussions are underway to file an appeal while simultaneously seeking clemency from the Saudi government.

Earlier this week, addressing the post-Cabinet media briefing, Cabinet spokesman, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said that the government was consulting Anojan’s family about lodging an appeal and simultaneously exploring diplomatic options, including a royal pardon or a reduction of his sentence. (Newswire)

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Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam has raised grave concerns over the reported death sentence handed down to Sivarasa Anojan, a Sri Lankan national in Saudi Arabia, urging the Government to act immediately to save his life.

In a statement posted on ‘X’, Shanakiyan said he intends to raise the matter in Parliament next week, questioning the Foreign Ministry’s handling of the case and the consular accountability surrounding the appeal process.

He noted that Anojan, who was initially sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and a fine of SAR 3 million, has reportedly received a death sentence following his appeal. 

The MP said the family had proceeded with the appeal based on advice given by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arun Hemachandra, despite the Embassy’s own legal assessment describing the chances of success as “extremely low.”

According to Shanakiyan, the family paid Rs. 1,890,766 in legal fees into an account identified with the Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after being instructed to do so.

Documents from the Consular Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs show that the appeal was filed on 24 August 2026, but the Ministry’s letter forwarding the appeal to the family was dated 16 September 2026, despite repeated requests for earlier access. 

The appeal, submitted to the Court of Appeal in the Eastern Region, identifies Attorney Adlan Abdullah Al‑Subaie as counsel. However, the family claims that a different lawyer appeared in court and that they were never informed of his identity or contact details, he said.

Shanakiyan questioned the Ministry’s responsibility in ensuring proper legal representation and transparency once the family had paid the fees and followed official advice. “Who selected and instructed the lawyer who actually appeared? How was the money disbursed? Why was the appeal not provided to the family at the relevant time?” he asked.

He said these circumstances raise serious questions about possible failures in the consular and diplomatic handling of the case, which he will pursue in Parliament.

However, Shanakiyan stressed that accountability must not delay immediate action. “The Government must urgently secure experienced independent legal representation, pursue every remaining legal remedy and clemency process, and make diplomatic representations at the highest level in Saudi Arabia,” he said.

He added that every legal, consular, diplomatic, and humanitarian avenue must now be used to save Sivarasa Anojan’s life, emphasizing that “a Sri Lankan citizen’s life is at stake.”

According to reports, the Saudi Arabian Appellate Court has reportedly issued a death sentence to Sivarasa Anojan, a Sri Lankan migrant worker, for charges of Blasphemy. However, there is no official confirmation on the matter. (Newswire)

Sivarasa Anojan’s life must be saved.

I am planning to raise his case in Parliament next week following reports that his appeal in Saudi Arabia has resulted in a death sentence, after he was originally sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and a SAR 3 million fine.

There are… pic.twitter.com/1NMJoqF8W9

— Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam (@ShanakiyanR) September 18, 2026

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Saudi Arabia has said that a drone launched by the Houthis towards Mecca has been intercepted and destroyed, in an escalation that could threaten the holy city.

The Saudi-led coalition spokesperson, Turki al-Maliki, said Royal Saudi Air Defence Forces intercepted the hostile drone before it entered the restricted airspace on Tuesday evening.

Al-Maliki condemned the incident as an attempt to frighten worshippers and harm civilians, warning that the security of the two holy mosques and pilgrims is a “red line”.

The Houthis have previously denied targeting Mecca, saying that they do not target holy sites.

Security alerts

Saudi Arabia issued a security alert on Tuesday in the holy city of Mecca for the first time since the Houthis last attempted to target the sacred area in 2017.

The alert of potential danger in Mecca was swiftly lifted after a few minutes. The same alert was activated for Taif and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s second-largest city.

In a statement to Yemen’s SABA news agency on Tuesday, a Houthi military source strongly rejected the claim that Houthi forces pose a threat to the city of Mecca or other Islamic holy sites.

“We categorically deny that there is any threat from Yemen directed at the city of Mecca or any other holy sites,” the source said, condemning what he described as “misinformation”.

The latest attacks mark a sharp resurgence in a conflict dating to 2015, when Saudi Arabia intervened in Yemen after the Houthis seized Sanaa and ousted the internationally recognised government.

A UN-brokered truce in April 2022 largely halted Houthi attacks on Saudi territory, but hostilities have escalated again since the group declared a blockade on Saudi shipping in July and gained control of critical nodes on the country’s Bab al-Mandeb coastline.

In early September, the Iran-aligned group launched missiles and drones at sites across Saudi Arabia, marking a drastic escalation in the fighting. Riyadh has accused the Houthi rebels of launching attacks on civilian and economic sites in the kingdom.

The Saudi-led coalition said it will respond “firmly” to Houthi strikes on urban areas that injured 13 people in the Saudi cities of Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif on Tuesday.

Why is the alert on Mecca significant?

This was the first time in nearly a decade that a security alert had been activated in Mecca.

Mecca is home to the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site. Two billion Muslims around the world face the Kaaba during their daily prayers.

This year, Saudi Arabia welcomed around 1.7 million Muslims for the Hajj season in late May, while the country was vulnerable to direct strikes.

Hajj is considered one of the five pillars of Islam, necessary for Muslims to fulfil once in their lifetime.

Throughout the year, millions of pilgrims travel to Mecca to perform the optional Umrah pilgrimage.

Last autumn, Mecca welcomed more than 11.7 million pilgrims for Umrah between September and October 2025.

Hajj has only been restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when Saudi Arabia barred foreign Muslims from performing the pilgrimage to help prevent the spread of the virus.

It remains to be seen if the attacks on Saudi Arabia will affect pilgrimage to Mecca. (Al Jazeera)

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Saudi Arabia has accused Yemen’s Houthi rebels of launching attacks on civilian and economic sites in the kingdom, wounding at least 73 civilians, including women and children.

The accusation came on Tuesday as fighting intensified in Yemen, where the Saudi-backed, internationally recognised government has launched a counteroffensive to retake territory from the Iran-backed Houthis.

Major-General Turki al-Maliki, the spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen, said in a statement that the Houthi attacks had hit civilian and economic sites in the provinces of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jizan and Najran.

He did not specify when the attacks took place.

Al-Maliki described the attacks as a “dangerous escalation” and a “blatant violation” of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, warning that they posed a direct threat to the kingdom’s citizens and residents.

He said the coalition would take “all necessary operational measures” to confront the attacks and act against the sources of the threat.

The Saudi Ministry of Energy said in a separate statement that several “energy sector facilities and installations” in southern areas of the kingdom were hit early Tuesday.

The attacks wounded a “number of citizens and residents” and sparked “fires at several locations”, forcing a “temporary halt in some operations”, the statement said.

The Houthis made no immediate comment.

Earlier, the group had accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out an air strike on a prison in al-Hazm, in the northern al-Jawf governorate, and killing at least seven people. It said the “ongoing Saudi aggression against Yemen will not go unpunished”.

Riyadh has not commented on the allegation.

Yemen has been mired in conflict since the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa in 2014, prompting a Saudi-led military intervention the following year.

Fighting between the two sides largely halted after a United Nations-brokered truce in 2022, but resumed following the war that the United States and Israel launched against Iran in February.

Hostilities restarted in July when the Houthis launched missiles and drones towards Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport following an attack on Sanaa airport. Later that month, the Houthis announced a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia and began attacking Saudi-linked shipping in the Red Sea.

On Thursday, the Houthis launched a major offensive, attempting to advance through western Taiz and southern Hodeidah towards the port city of al-Makha (Mocha) and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea.

Fighting was initially concentrated west of Taiz and south of Hodeidah, but has now spread to the provinces of al-Dhalea, Marib, al-Jawf and al-Bayda, as the government seeks to stretch Houthi forces and increase pressure on the group.

The World Health Organization said some 1,078 people have been killed or wounded since August 24, while more than 21,000 people have been displaced since Thursday. (Al Jazeera)

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Sri Lanka has taken a fresh step in expanding its premium tea footprint in the Middle East with the launch of Bogawantalawa Tea at Tamimi Markets, Saudi Arabia’s leading hypermarket chain. 

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh stated that the event, held on July 09 in Riyadh, was officiated by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Kingdom, Ameer Ajwad, marking a milestone in strengthening the presence of Ceylon Tea in one of its most important export destinations. 

Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Ameer Ajwad pointed out that Saudi Arabia is one of the most important export destinations for Ceylon Tea and that the launch of Bogawantalawa Tea marked yet another significant milestone in expanding the presence of premium Ceylon Tea in the Saudi market. 

While expressing appreciation to Tamimi Markets for providing an excellent platform to introduce premium Sri Lankan tea to Saudi consumers, the Ambassador proposed the establishment of a dedicated “Sri Lanka Corner” for premium Sri Lankan products in Tamimi Markets. He also highlighted the steady growth of Sri Lankan exports to Saudi Arabia in recent years and emphasized the importance of further expanding Sri Lanka’s export basket in the Kingdom.

Co-Chairman of Bogawantalawa Tea Ceylon, Lalith Kumar Ambani, introduced the Ceylon Tea Gardens brand, stating that Bogawantalawa Tea is internationally renowned for its exceptional quality, distinctive flavour, freshness, and heritage spanning over a century. He noted that the introduction of Bogawantalawa Tea under the Ceylon Tea Gardens brand enriches Tamimi Markets’ premium tea portfolio by providing consumers across Saudi Arabia with access to the authentic taste of premium Ceylon Tea.

Director/Chief Executive Officer of Bogawantalawa Tea Ceylon, Almas Marikkar, highlighted the company’s diverse product range and its commitment to corporate social responsibility through the welfare and development of estate communities, while Marketing Manager – Middle East and Asia of Bogawantalawa Tea Ceylon, Anne Ranasinghe presented the story behind Bogawantalawa Tea.

During the launch, Regional Senior Manager, Ayham Nasser, Business Development Director,  Bruce Bostwick, and Category Manager of Tamimi Markets, Husnee Thasim, participated and reaffirmed Tamimi Markets’ commitment to offering its customers the finest international brands.

First Secretary (Commerce) of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh, Tashma Vithanawasam, Assistant Manager Product Innovation and Infusions of Bogawantalawa Tea Ceylon, Kabeer Tharick and Tamimi Markets Area Managers, Riyad Salamih and Yassir Ghalib were also present on the occasion. (Newswire)

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The first batch of 325 Sri Lankan Hajj pilgrims, who arrived in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Saturday (02), was received by the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ameer Ajwad, at the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. 

According to the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh, the arrival of the group marks the commencement of this year’s Hajj operations for Sri Lanka.

Acting Consul General Mafusa Lafir,  Asmiya Ameer Ajwad, officials of the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Jeddah, representatives of Rehlat Wa Manafe, the designated Hajj service provider for Sri Lanka for 2026, and representatives of Nusuk Hajj operations were also present to welcome the pilgrims and facilitate their arrival arrangements.

Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Ameer Ajwad extended his best wishes to the pilgrims and highlighted the profound spiritual significance of the Hajj journey. 

He expressed sincere appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, for the meticulous arrangements and exceptional facilities provided to ensure the well-being and comfort of millions of Hajj pilgrims arriving in the Kingdom from around the globe, including Sri Lanka.

The Ambassador also assured the Sri Lankan pilgrims that the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh and the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Jeddah stand ready to assist them in fulfilling their religious obligation in a smooth, safe, and peaceful manner.

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh further states that for the Hajj 2026 season, arrangements have been made to accommodate 3,500 Sri Lankan pilgrims. 

This coordination involves close collaboration among the Sri Lanka Hajj Mission, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia, the designated Saudi service provider, and local travel operators to ensure the successful conduct of the pilgrimage. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has appealed to the public for assistance in locating information about the next of kin of Ms. Rahima Sahabdeen, a Sri Lankan national currently detained in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

The request follows a notice from the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Jeddah, which highlighted the urgent need to establish her identity in order to facilitate repatriation.

Issuing a statement, the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that Ms. Rahima is suffering from memory loss and is unable to provide documentary proof of her identity. 

As a result, the ministry has requested assistance in tracing her next of kin or acquaintances to move forward with the repatriation process.

Those with information have been requested to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via the hotline +94 11 2275 530 or email: consular@mfa.gov.lk. (Newswire)  

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Saudi Arabia announced on Thursday granting a financial support amounting to $8 billion to boost Pakistan’s economic stability. 

This is in line with the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.

Saudi Arabia has continued its support to enhance Pakistan’s economic stability by extending the term of an existing $5 billion deposit at the State Bank of Pakistan and announcing an additional deposit of $3 billion, the Saudi Press Agency reported. This reflects the strong ties and ongoing cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

This assistance aims at supporting Pakistan’s economy and strengthening its resilience amidst evolving global economic challenges, and comes in accordance with the leadership’s directives to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood between the two countries. 

This affirms the Kingdom’s commitment to fostering the economic growth of Pakistan, which is expected to reflect positively on the living conditions of Pakistani citizens. (Saudi Gazette)

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At least two people have been killed after a projectile fell on a residential location in Saudi Arabia‘s Al-Kharj city, Saudi authorities reported, as Iranian counterattacks on Gulf nations hosting US military assets entered a second week.

The Saudi civil defence said in a post on X on Sunday, without mentioning Iran, that an unspecified “military projectile” had hit a residential area in Al-Kharj, killing two foreign nationals – one Indian and one Bangladeshi – and injuring 12 people.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had said earlier that it had targeted radar systems in locations including Al-Kharj governorate, which is home to the Prince Sultan airbase used by United States forces, and has come under repeated attack over the past week in the US and Israeli war against Iran.

Reporting from Doha, Al Jazeera’s Laura Khan said the projectile had landed on a residential site belonging to a maintenance and cleaning company.

“This is getting very volatile and dangerous for people across the Gulf,” she said. “It’s really important to emphasise that over 200 nationalities live and work across the Gulf nations. Many of these could be labourers.”

On Sunday, the Saudi Defence Ministry reported intercepting 15 drones, including an attempted attack in the diplomatic quarter of the capital Riyadh.

Kuwait, meanwhile, said an attack hit fuel tanks at its international airport, and Bahrain reported a water desalination plant had been damaged.

Sunday’s attacks came after Israeli warplanes hit five oil facilities around the Iranian capital, killing several people, according to a state oil executive, and blanketing the city in acrid smoke.

As the war extended into its ninth day, the IRGC said it had enough supplies to continue drone and missile attacks across the Middle East for up to six months.

Ahmed Aboul Gheit, secretary-general of the Arab League, said Iran’s attacks on several member states were “reckless”, urging Tehran to reverse what he called a “massive strategic mistake”.

Iran’s Health Ministry said Sunday that at least 1,200 civilians had been killed and around 10,000 wounded since the US and Israel launched their war on Iran on February 28. (Al Jazeera)

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• Israeli forces continue their assault on Tehran and Beirut, including a strike on the Iranian state broadcaster, as the death toll in Iran and Lebanon surpasses 600 people.
• Saudi authorities say two drones hit the US Embassy in Riyadh, causing a limited fire and minor damage.
• US President Donald Trump says the military campaign against Iran could last about four weeks, pledging that Washington will do whatever it takes to destroy Tehran’s missile and nuclear capabilities.
• Iran has struck energy infrastructure across the Gulf, sending global oil and gas prices sharply higher. Qatar’s state-owned petroleum company has suspended all liquefied natural gas production after two of its facilities were hit.
• Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says the Strait of Hormuz – through which a fifth of the world’s oil consumption passes – is now “closed”, and warns that any vessels attempting to pass through the waterway will be attacked.
• Iran continues to attack sites across Israel, with the Israeli military reporting missile interceptions over West Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Eilat. At least 10 people have been killed in Israel since Saturday. 
• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says “the hardest hits” on Iran are “yet to come,” adding he would not “give away details of our tactical efforts”. (Al Jazeera)

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Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Chathuranga Abeysinghe, highlighted new opportunities for collaboration following his recent visit to Riyadh, where he represented Sri Lanka in discussions with Saudi business leaders and members of the Saudi–Sri Lanka Joint Business Council.

Taking to ‘X’, Abeysinghe noted that while bilateral ties are still evolving, Sri Lankan exports to Saudi Arabia are growing, and negotiations are underway for a Trade Promotion and Investment Agreement to further ease trade.

He emphasized the role of the 200,000 Sri Lankans living and working in Saudi Arabia as a vital people-to-people link.

Key sectors identified for future cooperation include renewable energy, shipping and maritime services, tourism, technology and startups, and agriculture. 

Abeysinghe stressed that Sri Lankan small and medium-sized enterprises, though modest in scale, are world-class in capability and can benefit from partnerships with Saudi brands and investors, potentially even attracting production bases in the Kingdom.

He added that the government is focusing on government-to-government collaboration and targeted proposals aligned with Saudi market needs, enabling both private sectors to engage more effectively.

“This visit reaffirmed that the Sri Lanka–Saudi Arabia partnership has great potential, and with strategic cooperation, we can build lasting economic growth and opportunities for both nations,” Abeysinghe said.

He also commended Sri Lankan Ambassador in Riyadh, Omar Ameer Ajwad, for his dedicated service in strengthening bilateral ties.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Chathuranga Abeysinghe’s interview with Arab News: https://www.arabnews.com/node/2630665/business-economy (Newswire)

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Sri Lankan exports to Saudi Arabia recorded a 19% increase from January to September 2025, compared to the corresponding period in 2024, according to the Sri Lanka Embassy in Riyadh.

Commenting on this achievement, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ameer Ajwad, stated that this double-digit growth represents an outstanding accomplishment in 2025, achieved through sustained and well-coordinated efforts undertaken by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh in close collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the Department of Commerce, the Sri Lanka Export Development Board, the Sri Lanka Tea Board, and other relevant institutions.

The Ambassador further noted that the Embassy adopted a concerted strategy aimed at enhancing the visibility of Sri Lankan products, including active participation in major international trade exhibitions held across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Ambassador Ajwad also stated that total bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia expanded by 9%, reflecting the growing complementarities and strengthening economic partnership between the two countries.

Trade volumes have continued to increase steadily, with Saudi Arabia remaining a key export market for Sri Lankan products such as tea, spices, fruits, vegetables, coconut-based products, processed foods including frozen seafood, construction materials, and other consumer goods. Concurrently, Sri Lanka continues to import essential commodities and energy supplies from the Kingdom, underscoring a balanced and mutually beneficial trade relationship.

In 2025 alone, ten (10) Sri Lankan business delegations visited Saudi Arabia, comprising companies specializing in food and beverages, agricultural products, construction materials, furniture, tourism, and manpower. In December 2025, the Embassy facilitated the launch of Sri Lankan products by Ceylon Biscuits Limited (CBL) in collaboration with Amalcom Company, an initiative expected to further enhance Sri Lankan exports to the Saudi market.

Such coordinated trade-promotion initiatives have significantly contributed to expanding market access, strengthening commercial ties, and enhancing the visibility of Sri Lankan products in the rapidly growing Saudi market.

The year 2025 also marked a historic milestone with the establishment of the first-ever Saudi–Sri Lanka Joint Business Council, facilitated by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh. The Council was jointly formed between the Federation of Saudi Chambers (FSC) and the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) and was officially launched during the visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, to Riyadh in November 2025. The Joint Business Council is expected to be a game-changer, serving as a vital platform for structured dialogue, trade facilitation, investment promotion, and enhanced private-sector collaboration between the two countries.

In addition, to promote Sri Lankan tourism in Saudi Arabia, the Sri Lankan Embassy facilitated “Twin Tourism Roadshows” in Riyadh and Dammam in April 2025, after a six-year hiatus, with the participation of the top twenty (20) Sri Lankan Destination Management Companies (DMCs), in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB).

The Embassy also facilitated “Twin Sri Lankan Manpower Roadshows” in Riyadh and Dammam in May 2025, following an eight-year hiatus, with the participation of the top fifteen (15) Sri Lankan manpower-supplying agencies, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE). Additionally, the Embassy facilitated the participation of 26 SLBFE-licensed foreign employment agencies at Saudi Arabia’s largest HRLS Manpower Expo, held in Riyadh in November 2025. The Sri Lanka Pavilion at the Expo was inaugurated by the visiting Minister, Vijitha Herath. Sri Lankan manpower agencies are actively engaged in promotional and networking activities aimed at expanding employment opportunities for Sri Lankan workers in the Kingdom.

The Sri Lankan Embassy said its proactive role in promoting trade, investment, tourism, and manpower sectors throughout 2025 has produced tangible results and contributed to a more structured and strategic framework for bilateral economic engagement. Taken together, these developments underscore a strong and forward-looking momentum in economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia across multiple sectors and initiatives, it added in a statement. (Newswire)

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Saudi Energia Company has donated eight high-capacity tower light generators valued at USD 43,000 to support recovery operations and reconstruction efforts in areas affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka. 

The donation has been made in response to an initiative by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh, while the Embassy is making arrangements to dispatch the generators to Sri Lanka for use in ongoing relief work.

The Managing Director of Energia, Mahammed Mohin Shaikh, along with Energia officials and employees, participated in the handing-over ceremony held at the Energia Al Kharj Road facility in Riyadh.

Receiving the donation from the CEO of Energia, Hassen Shahid, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ameer Ajwad, expressed his sincere appreciation to Saudi Energia Company for its timely and meaningful contribution. 

The Ambassador highlighted that the support extended by Energia is an exemplary gesture, reflecting a strong spirit of solidarity and a great sense of corporate social responsibility beyond business interests. (Newswire)

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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Sri Lanka Postal Department and the Saudi Post Corporation to issue two commemorative stamps.

The stamps, featuring historical sites from both countries, are intended to mark fifty years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia in 2024. 

According to the government, the initiative aims to further strengthen bilateral ties and foster goodwill between the peoples of the two nations.

The proposal was presented by the Minister of Health and Mass Media and received Cabinet approval, paving the way for the two postal authorities to collaborate on the commemorative issue. (Newswire)

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