Bahrain-Sri Lanka bilateral relations progressing steadily

Minister of Labor and Social Development of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan(R) discussing issues of significance with the Sri Lankan Ambassador, Dr A. Saj U. Mendis, at the Ministry in Manama, Bahrain

Manama: Bilateral relations between Bahrain and Sri Lanka are progressing steadily, according to Bahrain Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

Prince Al Khalifa receiving the newly-appointed Sri Lankan Ambassador to Bahrain, Dr. A.S.U. Mendis at the Gudaibiya Palace, lauded bilateral relations as progressing steadily thanks to the leaderships’ keenness on constantly bolstering them for the best interests of the two friendly peoples.

The Lankan Ambassador  also paid a courtesy call on  Minister Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, after the formal presentation of Credentials to the King of Bahrain. 

The congenial and cordial meeting lasted approximately 40 minutes and was attended by the Directors of the office of the Minister of  Public and International Relations.

Ambassador Dr Mendis conveyed the greetings and wishes of the Government of Sri Lanka to the Minister of Labor and Social Development since he was appointed to this Office on the 1st of October 2015. Further, he emphasised that the two countries have been maintaining friendly and affable relations well before formal diplomatic relations were established in 1992. Dr Mendis further expressed sincere appreciation and gratitude, on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, for the opportunities and facilities extended by the Government of Bahrain in securing a large number of employment opportunities to nationals of Sri Lanka, particularly skilled, highly trained and professional Sri Lankans. He also underscored that the Government of Bahrain has extended a favorable environment and surroundings for Sri Lankan workers to live and work peacefully in Bahrain, thus mutually benefiting both countries.

The Minister of Labor and Social Development expressed his satisfaction and appreciation of the expatriate community of Sri Lanka, working and domiciled in Bahrain, for their contribution in progressing and advancing the economy of Bahrain. The Minister also added that most of the employers, both public and corporate, were happy to work with Sri Lankans since they are highly committed, dedicated, adaptable and honest apart from competent. He also suggested that  in the interest of securing highly skilled and professional employment in Bahrain as opposed to less skilled employment, the Embassy should communicate to all the key Chambers in Bahrain, delineating the nature of high skilled and professional employment available in Sri Lanka, which in turn, the Chambers would disseminate to potential employers such as industries, corporates and financial and IT entities, among others. According to the Minister of Labor, this course of action would provide knowledge and awareness of the capacity and dexterity of the Sri Lankan human resource base.

Dr Mendis spoke of the vitality of the migrant workers from Sri Lanka, stating that they contribute nearly 9% of the total GDP. The contributions and remittances of the migrant workers are the highest and the largest in the country, thus placing Sri Lanka on a progressive economic trajectory. He also added that the current Government is highly focused on promotion and advancement of economic and commercial diplomacy, which encompasses securing of high skilled and high paid employment to nationals of Sri Lanka in foreign countries including Bahrain.

Dr Mendis also expressed deep appreciation, on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, for Bahrain’s extension of unstinting support and cooperation to Sri Lanka, particularly at regional and at international forums including that of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. Both the Minister of Labor and Dr Mendis agreed that both the countries are rapidly developing island states and working closely and efficaciously with each other would assist progress and advance the economy of Sri Lanka as well as would facilitate the economy of Bahrain to become one of the more developed nations in the region. Both the Minister and the Ambassador agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations, in all spheres, between the two countries, thus benefiting both the peoples and the countries, particularly, economically, financially and commercially, by extending result oriented, constructive and focused employment opportunities to qualified and skilled nationals of Sri Lanka.