The priorities of the newly appointed ambassador of Sri Lanka to Oman, H E M A K Girihagama, are to purchase land for setting up a permanent mission, enhance relations with Oman and create a positive outlook on his country.
"We want a permanent place for the mission and are on the lookout for a suitable land. We also want to set up a temple on the acquired land which is, at present, temporarily placed in the backyard of the embassy premises," H E Girihagama said.
The ambassador said he is working on facilitating a visit by the President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa, to Oman and also on inviting His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to Sri Lanka.
The Ambassador wants to boost tourism and trade between the two countries. "Tea, coir products, textiles and desiccated coconut are the main export products from Sri Lanka. Tourism has been steadily growing with 1500 travellers from Oman in 2010. We intend to invite local tour operators to Sri Lanka to raise awareness about the tourism prospects in the country."
According the Sri Lankan embassy, there are about 25,000 Sri Lankan nationals in Oman, many of whom are in the blue collar workforce. Many blue collar workers come to Oman without the backing of a job agent. "This resulted in many workers being let off by the employer without actual benefits, leaving them at the mercy of the mission. In addition, we have about 30 maids stationed in our safe house. We want to repatriate them as soon as possible," H E Girihagama said.
The Ambassador said that he also wants to dispel the rumours caused by the UN backed Darusman Report and a Channel 4 documentary, Sri Lanka's Killing Fields, which criticised the government for human rights violation during the post-military take over of the LTTE ruled north eastern region of Sri Lanka in 2009.
H E Girihagama said that his government has not violated any human rights law and that the welfare and resettlement of internally displaced people was the most important assignment at hand. "The film and report do not reflect reality and are based on biased material, which is presented without any verification and from unreliable sources."
© Muscat Daily 2011
