The Ministry of External Affairs, marking the historic call by the 'Jewel of Muscat' at the Port of Galle, held a seminar in Galle recently on the specific theme of "Galle and International Trade in the Bygone Era".

The seminar which started with an introduction on trade and the role of Sri Lanka in international trade in the past was opened by Ambassador of Oman to Sri Lanka, Sheikh Humaid Bin Ali Al- Maani.

Ambassador Al-Maani's inaugural presentation focused on the history of seafaring between the Arab world and Sri Lanka through the Omani eyes.

He expressed the view that it would be ideal to organize a similar activity in Oman as well given the fact that Oman and Sri Lanka had maintained a sustained bilateral relationship ranging from people to people contact to trade and cultural exchanges for over a millennia.

The seminar was also addressed by eminent scholars and researchers in the field of marine archaeology, anthropology, sociology and history.

The experts who made presentations at the seminar dwelled on archaeological aspects of ancient Arab communities in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka's international trade and cultural links, evidence of navigation in Sri Lankan waters between 15th and 19th centuries, silk road of the sea and Galle, 8th, 9th and 10th century gold coins of Sri Lanka and the history of Muslim community in Galle.