RIYADH: The Riyadh-based Sri Lankan Expatriates Society elected its new office-bearers at its 17th annual general meeting held at its embassy premises on Friday.
Speaking on the occasion, the country’s ambassador Abdul Ageed Mohamed Marleen told his community members that greatness of a country is judged by the good conduct of its people.
“I am happy that the Sri Lankans in the Kingdom have earned a good reputation by way of their hard work and good behavior,” Marleen said, pointing out that every Sri Lankan in the Kingdom could be his country’s ambassador to promote good will and understanding between the two countries.
The envoy said that the SLES has not only done yeoman service to its community members but also it has built an image in the Kingdom as a service-oriented organization which serves its countrymen both in the Kingdom as well as in Sri Lanka.
The outgoing SLES President S.A.M. Rasdeen thanked the community members for the excellent cooperation extended to his committee to carry out eight cultural projects during his tenure.
Niron Fernando was inducted as the new president of the society with a team of 15 members in his executive committee.
In his brief speech, Fernando stressed that the cooperation given by the mission and the past presidents of the society kept the organization going on for such a long period.
“This year, we hope to assist our less fortunate members of our community back home by providing facilities to ameliorate their social and economic conditions,” Fernando said, pointing out that the such help could be rendered solely on the support of the philanthropists in the community.