RIYADH, 1 July 2007 — Sri Lankan consul general in Jeddah, Masihudeen Inamullah, left for Colombo yesterday on completion of his tour of duty in the Kingdom. Arab News learned that A.L.M. Lafir, director, Consular Affairs, is tipped to be Inamullah’s successor.
Inamullah, who has been in the Kingdom for the past two years, thanked senior officials of the government for their cooperation during his term of office. He also took the opportunity to thank Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for the concern he showed toward Sri Lankans ravaged by he Southeast Asian tsunami.
“A housing complex named after King Abdullah is being built for tsunami victims, mainly for women who lost their husbands in the disaster,” he said. “The project is funded and supervised by Prince Sultan Humanitarian Society.”
Last week, the 11-nation Asian Consuls General Club (ACGC), hosted a reception in honor of the outgoing Sri Lankan diplomat.
On behalf of the club, Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, Indian consul general, paid tributes to Inamullah at the sendoff reception. Thanking the Asian diplomats for honoring him at such a reception, Inamullah said the club makes an effective forum for the Asian diplomats to exchange one another’s experience to assist their countrymen working in the Kingdom.
The Sri Lankan Expatriates Society (SLES) in Jeddah headed by Robert Mathews held a farewell party in honor of the parting consul general. Inamullah also attended a goodbye reception hosted by the board of management of the Sri Lankan International School in Jeddah. The school function was presided over by its Chairman Azmy Anverdeen.
Lafir who counts more than a decade of experience in the country’s foreign service, had served in Kuwait, Canada, and Abu Dhabi. Prior to his transfer to Colombo, Lafir was the deputy chief of mission at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Abu Dhabi. Lafir is also a lawyer by profession.
Without revealing the name of the successor, Hussain Bhaila, deputy minister of Foreign Affairs, told Arab News from Colombo that a career diplomat will be appointed on Thursday when Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogallagama returns to the country from his overseas trip.
Sri Lankan Ambassador in Riyadh is slated to leave the Kingdom in early September on a transfer order from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Colombo. The Sri Lankan Expatriates Society (SLES) is organizing a farewell to A.M.J. Sadiq who came to Riyadh in August 2005. Prior to his posting here, Sadiq was the country’s consul general in Jeddah.
