RIYADH, 15 September 2007 — The Kingdom has donated 223 metric tons of dates to Sri Lanka to be distributed in mosques in the country.
Riyad Al-Kheneni, charge d’affaires of the mission, formally handed over the dates to Hussein Bhaila, deputy minister of foreign affairs, at a ceremony held in Colombo on Thursday.
Sultan Al-Dhakeil, deputy chief of Saudi mission, was present at the function.
While thanking the Saudi government for this donation, Bhaila said: “The first portion of the donation of 150 metric tons of dates reached the island three weeks ago and today we received a supplementary shipment of 73 metric tons.”
He added that efforts are under way to distribute these dates to all the mosques throughout the island.
Meanwhile, the World Food Program said Saudi Arabia has given dates worth $2 million to supplement the diet of Afghan children who lack proper nutrition because of insecurity and disasters. The 2,000 tons of dates will be given to given to children at primary schools.
Insecurity and natural disasters such as drought and floods “have had a severe impact on the basic nutritional needs of millions of poor people, especially Afghan children,” WFP said.
