A Dhamma Talk, followed by a Discussion, in English, on ‘Understanding the Buddha’s Teachings for a Meaningful Life,’ will be delivered in Maitriya Hall, Mettarama, Lauries Road, Colombo 4, today (10), from 4.30 pm to 6 pm, by Venerable Kumbuke Visuddhi Citta Thera. This event is organised by The Servants of the Buddha. The Public are Welcome.

Nihal Seneviratne, who died a few days ago, was Secretary-General of the Parliament of Sri Lanka from 1981 to 1994, when the country went through one of its most difficult periods. Our existence as a democratic and united nation was under threat, with the implementation of the Sinhala Only Act. Following the brutal killings of some innocent Tamils by some racist elements in 1983 (Black July), as a reaction to killings by the LTTE, this heralded the beginning of the deadly separatist war. By then all hope of a political solution to the language problem, like the Bandaranaike–Chelvanayakam Pact, had failed. Warnings given by the LSSP leaders, like Dr. N. M. Perera, that a “sea of blood would flow through the country,” and by Dr. Colvin R. de Silva “one language two nations, two languages one nation,” were ignored. The proposals submitted by the All Party Representatives Committee (APRC), chaired by me, after 127 meetings, over three years, which was accepted by all Tamil speaking parties (other than the TNA, which boycotted it), was not put to Parliament. Parliamentary politics virtually collapsed and militancy filled the vacuum. The situation was aggravated further by the JVP violence, which peaked in 1988/89, and by the adverse impact on the functioning of Parliament by the Executive Presidency. But Nihal ensured the proper functioning of Parliament and its safety during his tenure. Thereafter, he played an important role as a member of the Dr. N. M. Perera Memorial Trust, until his death.

Nihal Seneviratne received his secondary education at one of the premier educational institutions in Sri Lanka, Royal College, Colombo. He entered the University of Peradeniya where he obtained a degree in Law, the L.L.B. He became an Advocate at the Law College, in 1961, and this enabled him to practice in the Supreme Court. However, he wanted to contribute to the highest institution in the country and joined Parliament as a public servant. He did all his duties with devotion and efficiency and rose to become the Deputy Secretary-General, and in 1981 the Secretary- General.

As Secretary-General, during his tenure he performed all his official duties efficiently, and in all matters acted impartially. I did not hear any Member of Parliament (MP) complain against him, either in the chamber or outside. Even though he did advice the Speaker on various matters, he did so according to the rules, and in a correct manner, so that all MPs accepted the decisions. He carried out his administrative functions efficiently so that the Parliament ran smoothly. As the Chief Procedural Officer he ensured that Parliamentary procedures, and the drafting of legislatures, were done properly. He ensured that the Constitution was not violated. With the establishment of the Executive Presidency, he ensured that Parliament was protected from executive overreach. He was widely regarded as an independent person who acted in a principled and fearless manner.

During the period when the Executive Presidency was being consolidated, and when the JVP insurgency and civil conflict were increasing and emergency rule was being imposed Nihal stood firmly for the supremacy of Parliament and the rule of law and the proper conduct of all procedures. He resisted all authoritarian tendencies which weakened Parliament. This led to him having to come into conflict with powerful executives and resist emergency governance practices. His principled stand ultimately led to much pressure on him and his departure from the Secretary-General post is seen by many as being due to political pressure.

Nihal is the author of a valuable book “Parliamentary Practice in Sri Lanka”, which has become a standard reference text. It is an excellent defence of the Westminister model of Parliament which has taken root in Sri Lanka getting adapted to our needs. His work is closely allied to the thinking of the LSSP. It may be said that what Dr. N. M. Perera did to consolidate that model in Sri Lanka to suit our conditions and needs has been effectively strengthened by Nihal Seneviratne.

by Prof. Tissa Vitarana, Chairman of the Dr.N M Perera Memorial Trust 

Sri Lankan exports to Saudi Arabia recorded a 19% increase from January to September 2025, compared to the corresponding period in 2024, the Sri Lanka Embassy in Riyadh said.It said: Commenting on this achievement, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ameer Ajwad, stated that this double-digit growth represents an outstanding accomplishment in 2025, achieved through sustained and well-coordinated efforts undertaken by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh in close collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the Department of Commerce, the Sri Lanka Export Development Board, the Sri Lanka Tea Board, and other relevant institutions.

The Ambassador noted that the Embassy adopted a concerted strategy aimed at enhancing the visibility of Sri Lankan products, including active participation in major international trade exhibitions held across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Ambassador Ajwad also stated that total bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia expanded by 9%, reflecting the growing complementarities and strengthening economic partnership between the two countries.

Trade volumes have continued to increase steadily, with Saudi Arabia remaining a key export market for Sri Lankan products such as tea, spices, fruits, vegetables, coconut-based products, processed foods including frozen seafood, construction materials, and other consumer goods. Concurrently, Sri Lanka continues to import essential commodities and energy supplies from the Kingdom, underscoring a balanced and mutually beneficial trade relationship.

In 2025 alone, ten Sri Lankan business delegations visited Saudi Arabia, comprising companies specialising in food and beverages, agricultural products, construction materials, furniture, tourism, and manpower. In December 2025, the Embassy facilitated the launch of Sri Lankan products by Ceylon Biscuits Limited (CBL) in collaboration with Amalcom Company, an initiative expected to further enhance Sri Lankan exports to the Saudi market.

Such coordinated trade-promotion initiatives have significantly contributed to expanding market access, strengthening commercial ties, and enhancing the visibility of Sri Lankan products in the rapidly growing Saudi market.

The year 2025 also marked a historic milestone with the establishment of the first-ever Saudi–Sri Lanka Joint Business Council, facilitated by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh. The Council was jointly formed between the Federation of Saudi Chambers (FSC) and the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) and was officially launched during the visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism,  Vijitha Herath, to Riyadh in November 2025. The Joint Business Council is expected to be a game-changer, serving as a vital platform for structured dialogue, trade facilitation, investment promotion, and enhanced private-sector collaboration between the two countries.

In addition, to promote Sri Lanka tourism in Saudi Arabia, the Embassy facilitated “Twin Tourism Roadshows” in Riyadh and Dammam in April 2025, after a six-year hiatus, with the participation of the top twenty Sri Lankan Destination Management Companies (DMCs), in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB).

The Embassy also facilitated “Twin Sri Lankan Manpower Roadshows” in Riyadh and Dammam in May 2025, following an eight-year hiatus, with the participation of the top fifteen Sri Lankan manpower-supplying agencies, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE). Additionally, the Embassy facilitated the participation of 26 SLBFE-licensed foreign employment agencies at Saudi Arabia’s largest HRLS Manpower Expo, held in Riyadh in November 2025. The Sri Lanka Pavilion at the Expo was inaugurated by the visiting Minister, Vijitha Herath. Sri Lankan manpower agencies actively engaged in promotional and networking activities aimed at expanding employment opportunities for Sri Lankan workers in the Kingdom.

The proactive role of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh in promoting trade, investment, tourism, and manpower sectors throughout 2025 has produced tangible results and contributed to a more structured and strategic framework for bilateral economic engagement. Taken together, these developments underscore a strong and forward-looking momentum in economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia across multiple sectors and initiatives.