Monday Apr 28, 2008
The new Saudi Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Abdul Aziz Al-Jammaz, began work at the Saudi Embassy in Colombo.

Al-Jammaz succeeds the former Saudi ambassador in Colombo Mohammed Mahmud Al-Ali, who went to Pretoria in December as the Kingdom's new ambassador to South Africa. Al-Jammaz will also be accredited to the Maldives during his tenure in Colombo. Al-Jammaz said he wants to project a new image of the Kingdom by highlighting the contributions it has made in strengthening bilateral relations.

"The Kingdom is home to 600,000 Sri Lankans. They have earned a good reputation for their hard work and perseverance, and they have contribute a great deal to the nation's development," he said, adding that the wheels of justice is fair to all living in Saudi Arabia.

Speaking about his priorities, Al-Jammaz said he hopes to shift the present Saudi mission to a better location in Colombo to improve services.

"The mission will soon be moved to a place which is easily accessible," the ambassador said, adding the mission needs a larger space in view of the extended services offered to the increasing number of Sri Lankans seeking consular assistance.

Al-Jammaz, a graduate in geography from the Imam Muhammad University in Riyadh, has been working in the Kingdom's foreign service for 27 years.

He has served in Accra, London, Brussels and Amman.

Source: Arab News