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Saudi Arabian Foreign Affairs Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal has pledged his country’s full support to Sri Lanka’s efforts to counter terrorism and to achieve a lasting solution to the ongoing conflict in the country when Foreign Affairs Minister Rohitha Bogollagama visited Riyadh recently. Minister Bogollagama briefed his Saudi Arabian counterpart on the prevailing situation in the country and the steps taken by the government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in this regard. The Ministers also agreed on the need to commence negotiations on a new Bilateral air services agreement to replace the existing agreement which was signed in 1991.Minister Bogollagama took the opportunity to brief his Saudi counterpart on the launching of the second national carrier Mihin Air in Sri Lanka and emphasized the need to secure flight rights for this airline under the proposed new agreement Bilateral talks were focused on the need for fast tracking negotiations on concluding an extradition treaty, avoidance of double taxation agreement, and an investment promotion and protection agreement. Sri Lankan Foreign Minister brought to the notice of Prince Faisal, details of the project to construct Sri Lanka ’s second international airport in Weerawila, in the south, costing $175 million, of which $100million will be from the Sri Lankan government. The Minister requested the Saudi Arabian government to provide the balance funding. The Saudi Foreign Minister stated that the Saudi Fund for Development is available for such purposes and requested for a feasibility report to be submitted to the relevant authorities. In view of the growing importance of economic linkages between Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka, Minister Bogollagama impressed upon his Saudi colleague the urgent need to establish a joint committee, which would meet regularly to take up matters of bilateral economic interest.
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