RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Sri Lankan ambassador has told expatriates in Riyadh to contribute to the consolidation of peace in Sri Lanka.
Ahmed A. Jawad was speaking as the embassy celebrated Sri Lanka’s 62nd National Day in Riyadh on Thursday. Violence spanning thirty years recently came to an end in the country.
“We are people of one nation and we have to contribute our best to the socio-economic and political development of Sri Lanka,” Jawad said.
He also launched the Uthuru Mithuru (Northern Friendship Rail Reconstruction) program as part of the celebrations.
Expatriates can contribute by buying a train ticket to Jaffna from Colombo for SR40.
The money will be used to reconstruct the north-south rail route, with the project costing around $140 million. Once work is completed ticket holders can travel at any time.
A large number of people at the embassy purchased tickets. In Jeddah Consul General Sabarullah Khan hoisted the national flag at the consulate, as similar celebrations took place in the city.
