RIYADH/JEDDAH, 5 February 2008 — Offering the best services to Sri Lankan expatriates in the Kingdom is top on the agenda of the island’s mission in the Kingdom, said W.S.M.S. Wijesundera, charge d’affaires of Sri Lanka, yesterday at the commencement of the country’s 60th National Day celebrations in the capital.

“With the help of the Saudi government, we have been successful in saving several domestic servants who were victims of nonpayment of salaries, harassment, assault and bondage,” Wijesundera said.

Under the leadership of President Rajapakse, the mission is committed to work for the welfare of its people in the Kingdom. He stressed that the mission was keen on looking after workers’ welfare in Saudi Arabia.

Touching on the security situation in Sri Lanka, he said: “It won’t be long before we wipe out terrorism and achieve a sovereign Sri Lanka where people can walk freely without any fear,” he said.

The speech followed the ceremonial flag-raising ceremony by Wijesundera. The nation’s flag was unfurled amid the beat of drums (magul bera) in the presence of more than 200 community members. They joined the choir of the Sri Lankan International School in Riyadh to sing the national anthem. This was followed by the recital of Jayamangala Gatha and observance of a two-minute silence by the audience in memory of fallen heroes.

“This was done as a mark of respect to all those who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the nation and for all those who died in the tsunami disaster of 2004,” Wijesundera said.

The traditional oil lamp was lit by the head of the mission and prominent community members to mark the commencement of the celebrations.

Wijesundera read the message of President Rajapakse in Sinhalese, while Mahinda Kumar, accountant, and Yasantha De Silva, commercial secretary, read the message in Tamil and English respectively.

Dignitaries also prayed for the progress and prosperity of Sri Lanka. Gamini Jayasekera, Sellacuddy Murugadas, A.S.M Nishtar and Niron Dissanayake gave religious sermons.

Guests were served with typical Sri Lankan dishes such as Kiribath (milk rice), with Katta Sambol (a mixture of chilies, onions, Maldive fish and lime crushed together), Kevum (oil cakes), Mung Eta Kevum and Vaddai.

On Thursday, the Sri Lankan Expatriates Society (SLES) will host a grand open house for all community members at the embassy premises here. A variety show depicting the culture of different Sri Lankan communities will be the highlight of the day.

In Jeddah, Consul General Abdul Latiff Mohamed Lafeer unfurled the national flag in the presence of a large gathering of Sri Lankan expats. He read the president’s message. At a reception held in honor of Sri Lankan Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Hussein A. Bhaila at his residence on Sunday night, Lafeer floated the idea of establishing a professional body and short-listed 15 members to undertake the task. “The new organization should project the country’s image at all levels. After all, our country has a heritage of rich culture and civilization,” he said.

A majority of Sri Lankan expatriates across the Kingdom are housemaids and drivers and it should be the endeavor of the new organization to see that more skilled workers and professionals work in this part of the world, he added. “We want you expatriates to project our policies to crush terrorism and end the ethnic crisis,” the minister said. “Let us all project the Sri Lankan identity as a country that believes in truth and justice,” he added.