The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Jordan J.A.D.S. Priyangika Wijegunasekera paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Culture Haifa Najjar of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on 16 May 2023.The Minister welcomed Ambassador Wijegunasekera and wished her success during her assignment in Jordan.
Minister Najjar called for deepening the cultural exchange between the two countries through visits and events and the need to exchange of expertise in culture and arts. She also praised Sri Lanka for its rich cultural diversity. The Minister spoke of the cultural activities held throughout the year which reflect Jordan’s heritage most notably the Jerash Festival which is considered an important cultural event in the Middle East region and expects the participation of many countries. The Minister invited Sri Lanka to take part in the upcoming Jerash Festival to be held in August this year.
During the meeting on expansion of cultural relations, the Ambassador stated that efforts are underway to enforce the signed Cultural Cooperation Agreement between Jordan and Sri Lanka in 2007, adding it needs an Executive Programme to include cultural related activities which will set a solid framework for stronger cultural relations.
The Ambassador stated that Sri Lanka is a country open to all cultures that promotes love and peace and enjoys a rich cultural diversity despite various challenges. She also expressed her happiness to participate in cultural activities in Jordan that reflect various aspects of arts and culture in the Sri Lankan and Jordanian societies. Both sides agreed to mobilize all efforts to ensure the success of cultural cooperation between the two countries.