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Riyadh clarifies envoy’s ‘recall’ from Colombo

1 March 2013 04:14 am - 12     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials said yesterday the “recall” of Saudi Ambassador to Sri Lanka Abdulaziz Bin Abdurrahman Al-Jammaz was a summons for consultation.

“The Saudi ambassador has not been recalled permanently, but asked to come to Riyadh for consultations,” said Alauddin A. Alaskary, deputy foreign minister for protocol affairs, here yesterday.

“There is a difference between an invitation for consultations and a recall … Al-Jammaz has not been recalled, he is still the ambassador to Sri Lanka,” he added.

He was commenting on several reports published in Sri Lankan media recently that said that Riyadh has recalled its ambassador from Colombo amid tensions after a Sri Lankan nanny convicted of murder was beheaded in the Kingdom early this year.

Asked about the return date of the Saudi envoy to Colombo, Alaskary said that, “it is yet to be decided by the foreign ministry.” But, Al-Jammaz, who is Saudi ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives, will be going back soon, he added.

D. S. Gammanpila, charge d’affaires at Sri Lankan Embassy, said that the relations between Riyadh and Colombo are normal.

“Even the Sri Lankan workers are being recruited for the Kingdom,’ said the Sri Lankan diplomat. The bilateral relations, which were strained after the execution of Sri Lankan maid Rizana Nafeek, who was charged with smothering a four-month-old baby in 2005; are normal now.

Gammanpila said that Sri Lankan workers are being recruited and deployed in the Kingdom regularly.

“There are no problems,” said the diplomat, when asked to clarify a report about Colombo suspending the recruitment of Sri Lankan workers including maids. The report was based on the a statement released by an association of foreign employment agents in Sri Lanka, which said that the Sri Lankan government has suspended sending housemaids to Saudi Arabia.

The report released by the Association of Licensed Foreign Employment Agencies (ALFEA) said that the Sri Lankan government has suspended sending workers and maids to Saudi Arabia until the Saudi authorities provide a proper insurance scheme to the Sri Lankan employees. Saudi Arabia currently is home for about 500,000 Sri Lankan workers. Most workers are maids employed by Saudi families, schools and a few of them in expatriates’ houses.
Asked about the arrival of the new Sri Lankan ambassador to Saudi Arabia, whose name was announced by the Sri Lankan External Affairs Ministry last week; Gammanpila said that “the Sri Lankan mission in Riyadh has not been informed about the date of the arrival of ambassador-designate Vadivel Krishnamoorthy. Sri Lankan government nominated senior diplomat Vadivel just two weeks after his predecessor Ambassador Ahmed A. Jawad returned to Colombo. (Source: arabnews)

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  Comments - 12

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  • A.N Friday, 01 March 2013 05:22 AM

    I think we just a fly for the Saudis, we recall our ambassador and they have a good laugh i guess....

    limatc Friday, 01 March 2013 05:19 AM

    IT IS THE MEDIA IS THE KILLER OF ANY NATION WITH OR WITHOUT KNOWING THE FACT.

    Suren Sarathkumara Friday, 01 March 2013 05:39 AM

    Ha ha ha ha. Haaaaaaaaa haaaa haaa haaa ha ha ha. Hi hi hi heeeeee!

    raj Friday, 01 March 2013 05:45 AM

    Asked about the return date of the Saudi envoy to Colombo, Alaskary said that, “it is yet to be decided by the foreign ministry.” if its a consultation why can't they give the return date.

    Nodrog Friday, 01 March 2013 05:55 AM

    Poor guy...hope they won't behead him.

    rumi Friday, 01 March 2013 06:01 AM

    yes, we need saudi embassy here to look after affairs of people at saudi abroad.

    Ranjit Friday, 01 March 2013 06:18 AM

    May be to stamp the 'halal' label on him.

    malkanthi Friday, 01 March 2013 07:21 AM

    If there is genes book record event for making icing cakes, we will top the list.

    kay parker Friday, 01 March 2013 08:06 AM

    Yes we need to, as they bring most of the Money into Sri Lanka...

    raj Friday, 01 March 2013 10:16 AM

    Saudis don't money, its Sri Lankans who work there and bring the money.

    Vishali Saturday, 02 March 2013 02:13 AM

    Is it true Rizana was given three chops ? It was reported in Saudi press and Interior Ministry disclaimed it.

    Kapilavastu Saturday, 02 March 2013 02:49 AM

    how about the government ratify some extradition treaty with Saudi Arabia, for Sri Lankan employees in Saudi Arabia!


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