I take this opportunity to extend my warm wishes to His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber
Al-Sabah, The Amir of the State of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, the Crown Prince as well as High Highness Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, Prime Minister and People
of Kuwait who celebrate our achievements as a stable, multicultural society.
It is also the sincere wish of the Government and People of Kuwait to
extend our heartfelt wishes to all our friends in Sri Lanka who celebrated
their 77th Independence Day on the 4th of February 2025.
Firstly, I would like to mention the role of Kuwait as an Asian Country,
one of the famous capitols in the world especially in Asia. The State of
Kuwait plays a great role in strengthening relationships with the
countries in the Asian continent. In the field of political, there are always
mutual visits in the all levels such as, consultations, exchanging the
experiences during the official and nonofficial meetings both in the same
countries or in international and regional conferences in order to
cooperate all aspects to support the developments and standard with
the friendly countries to solve issues on national, regional and
international politics. The State of Kuwait stands together with all the
countries in Asia individually or collectively to maintain the peace and
security to eradicate terrorism, facing the challenges on climate change,
natural disasters, human rights, investments, trade and the rights of
individuals to live peacefully.
In the field of Economics the State of Kuwait is assisting the Asian
continent countries through several channels. The first channel is trade
and investment representing the government sector as public authority
for investment. This is the main sector of the State of Kuwait, as far as
private sector it has large and multimillion projects in the Asian
c o u n t r i e s .
The second channel is direct assistance of the State of Kuwait which
occupies a prominent place in the international arena in giving
assistance. It ranked first among the state in providing aid for the year
2015 according to the U.N. statics. Kuwait is always one of the countries
committed to contribute to the support of various United Nations organs
to support the programs and plans of development, social and
humanitarian.
The third channel is the Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Economic Development,
which operates in more than 105 countries in the world since its
establishment in 1961 and the share of Asian countries reported 202
projects at a cost 3 billion and 677 million US dollars and the share of
the Republic of Sri lanka247 million US dollars more than 14 project
since 1967 in the agriculture transport, energy, industrial and social
s e c t o r s .
The fourth channel is Kuwait Red Crescent Society and it is always ready
to extend urgent and emergency assistance to some countries which are
facing the natural disasters.
The fifth channel is the Kuwaiti people providing humanitarian
assistance to their fellow beings regardless of colour, gender or race.
Kuwaitis extend their assistance through direct supervision or by charity
organizations, through the supervision of the government the donations
will reach proper places away from terrorism or extremists or
stakeholders. Also it extends assistance to build schools, hospitals,
orphanages, and mosques and helps people by establishing technical
collages in order to gain employment.
Following are the projects that the State of Kuwait has undertaken in Sri
Lanka since the beginning of diplomatic relations in 1971.
Kalugagnga Irrigation Project (Southern)
Building c o m p l e x S o u t h E a s t e r n University
Construction o f 55 bridges throughout t h e Island
Oxygen Unit to watupitiwela hospital
Medical Faculty University of Moratuw
Rehabilitation of Tsunami Project (Housing Scheme and Providing
Boats)
Electricity Supply for rural areasIrrigation Projects throughout the island
Mahaweli Ganga Projects
Building construction for Government Schools More than 35
s c h o o l s Construction of Kuwait Hospital in Puttalam
Construction of Education Complex in Puttalam
Centre for Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation treatment in Jaffna
Housing Scheme for refugees in Mannar
Eye camp project carried out throughout the island.
In recognition of the State of Kuwait’s pioneering humanitarian
assistance the United Nations awarded the title “Commander of
Humanitarian Work in 2014″.
The relationship between the State of Kuwait and the Republic of Sri
Lanka started in 1971. The Embassy of Sri Lanka opened in the State of
Kuwait in 1981 as well as the Embassy of Kuwait opened in Sri Lanka in
The two countries have maintained excellent political relations
The Kuwait people never forget the Sri Lanka position against the Iraqi
aggression against Kuwait in 1990.We will not forget that the former
Mayor of Colombo Mr. Mohamed Muzammil first switched on the
electricity in a foreign embassy in Kuwait in 1991 after the liberation of
Kuwait. At that time the Kuwaiti people who were present in Kuwait,
living in darkness, were waiting to see the electricity so they can feel
that their country has been liberated from the invaders. We never forget
the Sri Lankan people’s stance against Iraqi aggression. We will never
forget the stance of Sri Lanka in favour of Palestine. Sri Lanka is one of
the countries in assisting humanitarian assistance in the Asia continent
countries. Sri Lankans like peace and cooperate in maintaining the peace
w i t h o t h e r c o u n t r i e s .
As far as the economic field is concerned, the trade exchange between
the two countries was 2 billion rupees. Sri Lanka exports to Kuwait
approximately $ 14.181 million including tea, coconut, seeds, nuts fresh
fruits and spices. Kuwait’s export to Sri Lanka $20 million.
As far as investment, it is limited but it will expect to increase in near
future in the fields of energy, hotels, industrial infrastructure projects.
In Kuwait, there are 165,103 Sri Lankans living in Kuwait and in the year
2024, 77,847 individuals travelled to Kuwait for employment.
Finally, I hope that our efforts will continue and that stronger relations
between our two countries will be developed and I wish His Excellency
Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President of the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka with good health, success and prosperity and
sincerely hope that all Sri Lankans can now look forward to an era of
peace and progress.
On behalf of the State of Kuwait, I wish Sri Lanka peace, stability and
continued prosperity.
