Hon. Speaker said so at the revival meeting of Sri Lanka – Kuwait Parliamentary Friendship Association held in Parliament recently. H.E. Khalaf Bu Dhhair, Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Sri Lanka and several Cabinet Ministers, State Ministers and Members of Parliament were present at the meeting.

“Bi-lateral relations between Kuwait and Sri Lanka dates back over five decades. Our two countries established formal diplomatic relations on 19 th February 1971. This year, we celebrated the 50 th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between two countries. “

“We wish to extend gratitude for the Kuwaiti government for their cooperation in looking after the welfare of the stranded housemaids through establishing the Dasma Police and some Detention Camps and assisting the process of expeditious repatriation of housemaids to Sri Lanka” the speaker further said.

The new office bearers for the 9 th Parliament were elected at the meeting; accordingly, State Minister Kanaka Herath was appointed as the President of the Sri Lanka – Kuwait Parliamentary Friendship Association and Parliamentarians Hon. Faizal Cassim, and Hon. Aravindh Kumar and Hon. Selvam Adaikkalanathan were appointed as the Vice Presidents of the Association.

Meanwhile MPs Hon. Gayantha Karunathilake and Hon Ishak Rahuman were appointed as the Secretary and the Treasurer of the association respectively.