As we celebrate the Founding Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we not only celebrate our past, but also envision a brighter future, a comprehensive, sustainable, innovative and prosperous future under the wise leadership of the Kingdom.
Today, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia celebrates a great and dear occasion to our hearts, which is the Founding Day, which falls on February 22 of each year. This historic day brings to mind the memory of the founding of the first Saudi state in 1727, by Imam Muhammad bin Saud – May the almighty God have mercy on him – and in 1824, Imam Turki bin Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Saud established the second Saudi state, choosing Riyadh as its capital. In 1902, King Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman established the third Saudi state with Riyadh as its capital, and in 1932, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was unified, starting the journey of a great nation that carries the values of justice, unification and stability.
Founding Day is not just a day in our national calendar, but rather a story of a rich cultural heritage spanning more than three centuries, and a story of struggle led by loyal men who worked to build a strong and solid nation. It is a day, on which we take pride in our deep roots that established a country that is steadily moving towards the future, under our wise leadership led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and his loyal Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud – May the almighty God protect both of them. On this great occasion, we renew our pride in the achievements made by the Kingdom on all levels, as our country has become a global model for progress and prosperity, and a solid foundation that reflects an ambitious vision through the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which seeks to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development.
I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere congratulations to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and to the generous Saudi people, wishing the Kingdom further progress and development under the wisdom and acumen of its wise leadership. I would also like to take this opportunity to express our thanks and appreciation to the Republic of Sri Lanka and its friendly people, with whom we have close historical relations, and we are proud to work together to strengthen these relations in all fields for the benefit of our two countries and peoples.
