COLOMBO : For the first time in the annals of the Saudi embassy in Colombo a “Cat Walk 2024” event was held at the Galle Face green in Colombo on Saturday morning, 10th February 2024, to observe the International Day of the Arabian Leopard.
The International Arabian Leopard Day was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 12th June 2023 unanimously on a proposal made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The proposal co-sponsored by more than 30 countries, with the aim of highlighting the Arabian leopard as one of the most endangered breeds of big cats (lion, Panthera tigris, mountain lion, jaguar, cheetah, tiger, snow leopard) and also highlighted the importance of preserving wildlife and biological diversity, as well as highlighting the efforts of countries that are considered home to the Arabian leopard, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in protecting it through various initiatives that contribute to its survival.
The Saturday’s event included a walk on the Galle Face green. A number of senior parliamentarians , Government Officials, Heads of Missions of Arab countries accredited to Sri Lanka, and a number of prominent media persons, Embassy officials, and their families participated in the event.
The foreign ministry was represented by Lakshitha Ratnayeke, DG/ Middle East Affairs of the foreign ministry and
Ms. Kethma Yapa, Deputy Director/Middle East Affairs and Additional Secretary and ambassador designated to Saudi Arabia Ameer Ajwad.
Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Khalid bin Hamoud Alkahtani,said the day is to be celebrated annually around the world as an awareness day to highlight the Arabian leopard as one of the most endangered breeds of big cats, which are (lion, Panthera Tigris, mountain lion, jaguar, cheetah, leopard, snow leopard), highlighting the importance of preserving wildlife and biological diversity,as well as highlighting the efforts of countries that are considered home to the Arabian leopard, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in protecting it through various initiatives that contribute to its survival.
