MOHAMMED RASOOLDEEN
COLOMBO : Saudi Arabia-funded Faculty of Medicine at the University of Sabaragamuwa was inaugurated on Saturday, 4 July by Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
A high-level delegation from the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), headed by Eng. Faisal Mohammed H. AlKahtani, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Fund for Development, has arrived in Sri Lanka. The delegation also comprises Dr. Saud Ayid R. Alshammari, Director General of Asia Operations; Dr. Rabi Hezab T. Alsaadon, Director General of Corporate Communications; and Mr. Mohamed Sulaiman M. Algwaifly, Senior Protocol Expert. The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Sri Lanka, Khalid Hamoud AlKahtani, also graced the occasion.
The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), the arm of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s development financing, has provided US$50 million (SAR 187.5 million) for the Faculty of Medicine Development Project at the University of Sabaragamuwa. This milestone marks yet another successfully completed educational project funded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia within the span of just one year. The SFD previously completed and inaugurated the Wayamba University Township Development Project, valued at US$28 million, on 14 July 2025.
The state-of-the-art Faculty of Medicine project comprises the development of facilities at two strategic locations: the main Faculty complex, situated on a 20-acre site and consisting of 13 purpose-built academic, administrative, and support buildings, together with student hostel facilities accommodating 500 students, staff quarters, a modern library, and a 1,000-seat auditorium; and a Professorial Unit at the Ratnapura Teaching Hospital, housed in a G+8-storey building, designed to strengthen clinical teaching, training, and research through modern laboratories and advanced medical facilities.
Saudi ambassador Humoud AlKahtani said ; It his a great pleasure to participate today in the inauguration of the Faculty of Medicine at Sabaragamuwa University, an important development project that reflects the strong and enduring partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. This achievement stands as a testament to our shared commitment to advancing education, healthcare, and sustainable development.
He thanked the Prime Minister, for their visionary leadership and continued support for development and humanitarian initiatives that strengthen international cooperation and contribute to sustainable development in partner countries.
We are confident that this new Faculty will play a vital role in educating future generations of medical professionals, serving the people of Sri Lanka, and further strengthening the close friendship and cooperation between our two countries.
