The first group of Hajj pilgrims from Sri Lanka departed for Saudi Arabia today, marking the start of the 2026 pilgrimage season.
The pilgrims left from Bandaranaike International Airport, where a special send-off ceremony was held.
Khalid bin Hamoud Alkahtani, the Saudi Ambassador to Sri Lanka, was present to bid farewell to the departing pilgrims.
The ceremony was also attended by officials including Dr. Rizvie Salih.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and thousands of Sri Lankan Muslims travel to Saudi Arabia each year to perform the annual pilgrimage.
More groups of pilgrims are expected to depart in the coming days. (Newswire)
