Rs. 110Mn owed to Hajj operators remains unaccounted for

• 3,500 pilgrims joined the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage 
• 362 SAR charged per pilgrim for unrequested Mina tent facilities 

Hajj operators have alleged that nearly Rs. 110 million, collected additionally from operators for Mina tent facilities during the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, has yet to be refunded, more than a year after the funds became due for repayment. 

According to the operators, 3,500 Sri Lankan pilgrims participated in the 2025 Hajj. An additional charge of 362 Saudi Riyals per pilgrim was collected from operators specifically to provide enhanced facilities at the Mina tents. However, the charge was imposed without any request from the operators, and the promised facilities were not delivered as agreed, clearly making the collected amount refundable. 

The operators further state that the Saudi Arabian service provider concerned had also acknowledged the shortcoming and assured that the collected amount would be refunded. In Sri Lankan currency, the total refundable sum exceeds Rs. 110 million. 

Despite this, Hajj operators claim that they have been unable to ascertain the status or whereabouts of the funds for over a year. They strongly object to what they describe as the withholding of operators’ funds and the failure of the relevant government department to initiate the refund process within a reasonable time frame. 

When Lankadeepa inquired into the matter, the Director of the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs (DMRCA), Mr Mohamed Nawaz, confirmed that such amounts were due to be refunded but stated that he was unable to provide specific details at this stage. 

He added that he would seek information from the department’s accountant and look into the matter further. 

Attempts to contact the Chairman of the Hajj Committee, Mr Riyaz Mihlar, for comment were unsuccessful at the time of publication. 

The unresolved issue has raised serious concerns among Hajj operators, who are calling for transparency, accountability, and the prompt return of funds rightfully due to them.