The Sri Lanka Embassy in Qatar was established in 1998
Vision
To build on the
already existing excellent relations with the host country in all sectors of
bilateral relations, protecting national interest of Sri Lanka and to serve the
People of Sri Lankan living Qatar, especially, those underprivileged,
effectively.
Mission
Promoting friendly
relations between Sri Lanka and the State of Qatar, and developing Sri Lankan
economic, cultural and scientific relations Protecting in interests of the Sri
Lanka in the State of Qatar and of Sri Lankan nationals To provide the better
service for Sri Lankan Community To provide excellent service in all spheres of
activity and becoming a role model among Mission abroad.
The Embassy
The Sri Lankan Community living in Qatar had been requesting the Government of Sri Lanka to establish a diplomatic Mission in Doha since the mid 1980’s to perform their consular functions, look in to the labour problems and also develop the relations between the two countries. As a preliminary measure the Sri Lanka Embassy in Kuwait was entrusted with the task of attending to the Consular needs of the Sri Lankan community. Since 1990’s when the accreditation of Qatar was with Sri Lanka Embassy in Abu Dhabi, they too continued the Consular assistance. It was also the economic development of the State of Qatar which attracted countries like Sri Lanka to establish their embassies in mid 1990’s. At first the Office was under a Charge d’ Affaires and subsequently, it was up-graded to an Embassy. Since 1998 there had been two Ambassadors and they have contributed a lot to the establishment and development of the Embassy. From a premises in Madina Khalifa the Embassy has moved to location at Al Hilal. Now it is a full-fledged Embassy attending to all the functions. The Divisions of the Embassy are as follows:
>> Political
>> Economic
>> Investment and Trade
>> Information
>> Cultural
>> Consular
>> Labour
>> Administration
Political
The enhancement of bilateral, political relations between Qatar and Sri Lanka is being handled by this division. During the month of June 2005 Sri Lanka was respresented in the G-77 & China Conference with a big delegation led by the Hon. Lakshman Kadirgamar, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs. Sri Lanka while concentrating more on multilateral diplomacy among the G-77 countries was able to renew its links with the State of Qatar and the other friendly countries as well. (This section will be up dated when major events take place between the two countries.)
Economic Investment and Trade
Bilateral Economic relations are being strengthened between the two countries; already an agreement for the Avoidance of the Double Taxation has been signed. The Government of Qatar is being induced to promote further economic ties with Sri Lanka. Investments from Sri Lanka concentrate on small scale and medium scale businesses. There are a few Sri Lanka business establishments. Qatar is also concentrating on investing in areas like infra-structure development and tourism in Sri Lanka. Inquiries have been made of the opportunities available both with the Board of Investment and outside, for investments in the other sectors.
Trade
Bilateral trade of the two countries is based mainly on the purchase of petroleum products from Qatar to Sri Lanka and tea, vegetables, coconuts, leather products, etc from Sri Lanka. In order to make an assessment of these areas the following websites could be accessed:
Cultural
Bilateral, Cultural links are being promoted by the Embassy through the Qatar Government Organizations and also through Sri Lankan Associations. Cultural troupes from Sri Lanka had arrived in Qatar to perform at Summer festivals in the previous years. They also have been brought by Sri Lankan Associations. The latest was the presence of musicologists who performed at the Sri Lanka New Year celebrations and the Sambudu Pahasa, events.
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