RIYADH — Sri Lankan Expatriates Society (SLES) in Riyadh has become a household name among the members of the community by way of its outstanding services to Lankans living in the Kingdom as well as in the island, observed W.S.M.S. Wijesundera, charge d’ affaires of the Sri Lankan Embassy .
The diplomat was delivering the keynote address at the 16th Annual General Meeting of the SLES held Friday at the embassy premises. “The society stands as a symbol of unity and amity among the members of the community in Riyadh,” Wijesundera said, adding that it is the only organization in the capital which functions under the umbrella of the mission.
A fourteen-member committee was unanimously elected under the presidency of Sam Rasdeen who was elevated from the post of vice president which post he held for two consecutive years.
Taking over the mantle of leadership of the society, Rasdeen pledged to continue the good work of the society with the cooperation of the mission and its membership.
He pointed out that more than 2,000 Lankan patients were treated at SLES Free Medical Clinic during the last 12 months. He registered his thanks to the honorary doctors, Dr. M. Shaheed, Dr. Quintus Silva and Dr. Mahdhi Altaf who sacrifice their leisure on Fridays to serve the Lankan community.
The following were elected office-bearers for the ensuing year: Sam Rasdeen, President; Niron Dissanayaka and Francis Gunasekaran, vice presidents; Mohamed Afker, secretary; Manel Gamage, assistant secretary; Raju Sivakumar, treasurer; Mohamed Shiraz Jaufer, assistant treasurer. And the Committee Members are: Lalith Dharmasiri, Lakshman Ranaweera, M/s Jeewa Almeida, Khadija Mohideen, Pratheeka Sivakumar, Rohaan Samath and Kalimuttu Ganeshmoorthy.
