COLOMBO- The first batch of Sri Lankan pilgrims left for Makkah on Tuesday from the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayaka was received at the Jeddah airport by Sri Lankan ambassador Packeer Amsa, Consul General Falah Moulana and the Saudi officials at the Haj Terminal on the same day.
The first group of 50 pilgrims from Colombo was sent by the Traveller Global, which is a popular Hajj Operator in Sri Lanka headed by Rizmi Reyal who is the head of the All-Ceylon Haj Operators’ Association.
Ambassador Amsa said that and his staff will be available on a 24/7 basis during the pilgrimage to help the Lankan pilgrims this year.
A good number of international carriers such as Qatar Airways Oman Air, Jazeerah and Air Arabia will be ferrying the Lankan pilgrims to and from Makkah.
Buddha Saasana and Religious and Cultural Affairs minister Vidura Wickremanayake told Colombo Times that with the support of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa he was able to give the green light for this year’s Haj despite difficult times.
