(February 22, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) "Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama met with HRH Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz al Saud, Assistant Minister of Defence and Aviation for Military Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 19th February 2008 on the fringes of the Singapore Airshow 2008,"according to media satatement relased by the Foreign Ministry in Colombo."The Minister highlighted the cordial ties between the two nations and mentioned that there were 500,000 Sri Lankan workers in Saudi Arabia, one of the largest communities of expatriate workers in the Kingdom. Prince Khalid responded that they were doing well in the country," it reported.
Minister Bogollagama also mentioned that Sri Lanka was seeking observer status at the Organisation of the Islamic Conference.
The Minister stated that President Mahinda Rajapaksa had always been an advocate of strong ties with the Middle East and had been the President of the Palestine Friendship Association for 30 years. He extended an invitation for the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia to visit Sri Lanka which Prince Khalid agreed to convey.
Foreign Minister Bogollagama also raised the issue of the young domestic worker Rizana who is currently facing the death penalty in Saudi Arabia in relation to the death of an infant. The Minister appealed for assistance to obtain clemency for Rizana. Prince Khalid assured the Minister of the support of the Government of Saudi Arabia and indicated that it was the practice of the Saudi authorities to seek to persuade the victim’s family to offer clemency, but stated that the matter of granting clemency ultimately lies with the family of the victim. The Prince stated that this law applies to all in Saudi Arabia including the royal family and highlighted an incident last year when one of his relatives was saved minutes before execution when the victim’s family agreed to clemency.
Associated with HRH Prince Khalid was HE Dr. Mohamad Amin Kurdi, Ambassador for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Singapore
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