RIYADH, 4 August 2005 — King Fahd was a symbol of peace who promoted love and amity among nations, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, who led an eight-member delegation to the Kingdom to attend King Fahd’s funeral, said.
“King Fahd stood for peace and was a beacon for the Muslim world,” Rajapakse, who was here as a special envoy of Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunge, told Arab News.
The premier described King Fahd as a close friend of Sri Lanka who had helped the country during his 23-year reign. “King Fahd always used to respond to our requests for assistance. But he rushed aids voluntarily in times of distress.
“This demonstrated his nobility and benevolence,” he added.
During King Fahd’s reign, Kingdom helped Sri Lanka build dams, bridges, hospitals, mosques, schools and market places. To cope with the emergency after the tsunami, he said, Saudi Arabia sent six planeloads of relief goods and financed the construction of 1,000 houses for the victims. Arrangements have been made in Sri Lanka to hold funeral prayers for King Fahd at mosques throughout the island. “This shows the love and respect of Sri Lankan Muslims toward the king,” he added.
Rajapakse, who met King Abdullah Wednesday morning, said his government would strengthen its relations with the new leadership.
Speaking on issues back home, the premier said: “People want peace.” He said his government would continue peace talks with the LTTE and ensure that harmony is maintained in all parts of the island. Rajapakse, who was unanimously chosen by his ruling party as a candidate for the forthcoming presidential elections, said he was prepared to run for presidency.
He pointed out that Sri Lanka is a tiny island with a manageable population that could do well in all sectors. “Concerted efforts of the people will pave the way for a better Sri Lanka,” he added.
The visiting prime minister also had a brief meeting with Prince Charles who was here to express his condolence to the royal family.
The members of the visiting delegation included Alavi Mowlana, governor of the southern province, Cegu Izzadeen, minister assisting small and rural industries, Minister Rishard Badurdeen, Rauf Hakeem, leader of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), Mohamed Haniffa Mohamed, president of the Islamic Center and Ibrahim Sahib Ansar, head of Overseas Administration and former ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
A.M.J.Sadiq, new Sri Lankan ambassador in Riyadh, held a breakfast meeting in honor of Rajapakse’s delegation at his mission yesterday. A.S.M.Illyas, president of the Sri Lankan Expatriates Society, delivered the welcome address.
While thanking the Sri Lankan community in the Kingdom, Rajapakse said they were the first overseas community to send relief to the tsunami victims of the island.
He indicated that the government was making arrangements to chalk out a pension scheme for its overseas workers, this is being done in appreciation of their remittances to their country. Some 350,000 Sri Lankans live in the Kingdom which is the largest concentration in the Middle East.
