It gives me a great pleasure to send a Message on the occasion of the National Day of Kuwait as Ambassador of the State of Kuwait in Sri Lanka. First of all I would like to express my sincere appreciation and deep gratitude in sharing with us today the celebration of the National Day, which reflects the strength of the relations between the State of Kuwait and the Republic of Sri Lanka, in all areas.
Sri Lanka started relationships with the State of Kuwait since the arrival of Arab traders to Sri Lanka, and began diplomatic relations between the two countries on 19/2/1971. The Embassy of the State of Kuwait was opened in Sri Lanka on 12.03.1995. and the Embassy of the Republic of Sri Lanka opened in the State of Kuwait in 1981.
Bilateral relations has been strengthen after the official visit of the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka HE Mahinda Rajabakesa to the State of Kuwait in 2007.During his visit signed many agreements between the two countries in addition to visiting many of the Kuwaiti delegation to Sri Lanka . The trade and investment and cultural relations strengthen between our two countries, which led to the increase of trade exchange to more than Rs 2 million as the value of exports to Kuwait U.S. $ 20 million and import value of U.S. $ 22 million., Sri Lanka, the main supplier of tea to the State of Kuwait.
The signing of the agreement on the Encouragement and Protection of Investments between the Government of the State of Kuwait and the Government of the Republic of Sri Lanka took place on 5/11/2009.
The Trade Agreement was signed on 26/4/1994 In addition to that, the number of agreements signed between the two countries, such as an agreement for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion And a Memorandum of Understanding between the Sri Lankan government and the Kuwaiti Red Crescent Society in order to build 100 housing units for those affected by the tsunami in the eastern Ampara district Also signed the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development and Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2007, loan agreement for two million dinars Kuwait to contribute to financing the first phase of the development of the University of South-east Sri Lanka. In 2010 the two countries signed to recruit 150 Sri Lankan nurse to the State of Kuwait. After the tsunami in 2004, Kuwait has provided boats for fishermen affected by the tsunami.
We hope to strengthen this relationship in the coming years with the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. I am also pleased to convey my sincere thanks to His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa and all the Officials of Sri Lanka and the people of Sri Lanka.
I pray to Almighty Allah to bestow blessings on the Nation of Sri Lanka and wish them progress and prosperity.
H E Yaqoub Y.A.A.Alateeqi
Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Sri Lanka