JEDDAH, 15 January 2006 — Sri Lankans are initiating fresh moves to tackle the issue of Ceylon House in Makkah. The 1,000 square meter three-story structure, which was acquired by eight Sri Lankan trustees in 1964, is currently under the control of an individual. Fresh moves are now expected to be made by the heirs of former trustees through the Sri Lankan government and its Saudi missions.
The property was designed to serve the interests of Haj and Umrah pilgrims. The island’s medical team also utilized it for serving the pilgrims.
“The trustees passed away and so the property is now with an individual. We’re now trying to take back the property (with the help of the heirs of former trustees) and put it under the control of a new group of trustees,” Sri Lankan Haj Minister A.H.M. Fowzie told Arab News on Friday night.
“It has traditionally been serving pilgrims with facilities for the Haj medical team, and so we’re keen to see that it’s restored to the community to continue to serve the noble cause,” Fowzie said on the sidelines of a reception hosted in honor of his Haj delegation comprising ministers and members of Parliament. “I’ll be coming again in the next few months to sort out the matter,” he said.
The vice president of Sri Lankan Expatriates Society, Jeddah, H.M. Rafeek, hosted the reception.
The delegation included A.L.M. Athaullah, minister of fisheries, housing and infrastructure; State Minister of Irrigation Anwar Ismail; and M.H. Cegu Isadean, deputy minister for mass media, information and highways, and secretary general of the National Unity Alliance, a coalition partner in President Mahinda Rajapakse’s government.
