His Excellency Omar Lebbe Ameer Ajwad,
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Sultanate of Oman and the Non-Resident Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Yemen

WGF Person of the Year

Creating Milestones in Diplomacy and Bilateral Relations

By His Excellency Omar Lebbe Ameer Ajwad

Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the
Sultanate of Oman, and
Non-Resident Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the
Republic of Yemen

WGF brings to its readers an exclusive interview with His Excellency Omar Lebbe Ameer Ajwad. H.E. Ameer Ajwad is a senior career diplomat in the Sri Lankan Foreign Service. At the time of interview, he was serving as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Sultanate of Oman and the Non-Resident Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Yemen.

WGF: You have made a name for yourself due to your sincerity and hard work as a diplomat. What steps did you take in 2021 for better relations between Oman and Sri Lanka?

H.E. Ajwad: The Year 2021 was an outstanding and productive year in the relations between Sri Lanka and the Sultanate of Oman. We commemorated the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries on 17 February 2021 by organizing a special event at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman. We issued a memorial logo to mark this significant occasion and the Foreign Ministers of the two countries exchanged congratulatory messages on the occasion. We organized a series of events throughout the year 2021 to mark this special occasion, despite COVID challenges and restrictions.

This is a milestone in the history of our bilateral relations. We took a number of initiatives in key areas of mutual interest during this commemorative year whereby laying a strong foundation for the future cooperation between the two countries with a view to achieving another milestone in our relations during the years ahead. To name a few:

a) On political front, we signed a bilateral agreement on the mutual visa exemption for diplomats, officials, service people and other special passport holders of both countries in order to facilitate smooth exchange of visits between the two countries at levels of political, diplomatic, economic, defence, official and other special assignments. This arrangement will also invigorate bilateral political, diplomatic, economic, defense and other official exchanges of visits and engagements between the two countries.

b) During the year 2021, we also organized high-level official bilateral visits from Sri Lanka to the Sultanate of Oman, despite COVID challenges and restrictions. Special Representative of the Hon. Prime Minister of Sri Lanka visited Oman together with 10-member business delegation in April 2021 and met with His Highness Deputy Prime Minister of Oman, other Government dignitaries, and private sector organizations in Oman. Hon. Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs of Sri Lanka visited Oman in October 2021 as a special guest on the invitation of the Crown Prince and the Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs of Oman to attend the inauguration of T20 Cricket World Cup Tournament hosted by Oman, and had bilateral meetings with the Crown Prince and other dignitaries of the Government of Oman. Hon. Minister of Regional Cooperation of Sri Lanka visited Oman in December 2021 to attend the first-ever bilateral hockey tournament between the two countries, organised by Sri Lanka Embassy in Oman jointly with the Oman Hockey Association, to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and held meetings with the private sector of Oman.

c) On the economic front, we virtually signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two national Chambers of Commerce of Sri Lanka and the Sultanate of Oman with a view to enhancing interactions between the private sector business communities in both countries. We also organized a virtual business forum with the participation of key Government Ministries and Agencies of both countries, as well as private sector virtual B2B sessions where around 100 private companies from both countries participated demonstrating their keen interest in business interactions.

We also organized a virtual meeting between the Hon. State Minister of Regional Cooperation of Sri Lanka and the H.E. Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion of the Sultanate of Oman and discussed ways and means for further promoting bilateral economic cooperation between the two countries.

To promote trade, we organized a series of virtual webinar meetings between different private sector companies of both countries in the areas of food & beverages, fruits & vegetables, Ceylon tea, boatbuilding, and ICT & BPM with a view to promoting bilateral trade between the two countries. We also facilitated to export new Sri Lankan food products to Oman including Sri Lankan frozen chicken, different variety of snacks and confectioneries. Ceylon cinnamon tea and masala tea were also introduced to the Omani market. We also opened a Sri Lankan Restaurant at a hypermarket in Oman.

To promote investments between the two countries, we facilitated a number of visits by potential Omani investors to Sri Lanka under the ‘investment bubble concept‘ due to COVID restrictions, for investment opportunities in the hospitality, real estate and renewable energy sectors, as well as Sri Lankan investors to Oman for the investment opportunities in the re-export facility for medical disposable gloves in one of the Omani Freezones.

To promote tourism between the two countries, we have proposed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Ministries of Tourism of both countries for collaboration in this sector, and it is being finalized for the signature soon.

To promote Agriculture cooperation between the two countries, another Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been proposed between the Ministries of Agriculture of both countries, and it is being finalized too.

d) As to the maritime connectivity, there is a huge potential for maritime cooperation between Sri Lanka and Oman since both countries are sharing the Indian Ocean, and are strategically located in the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea respectively. Both countries are also part of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). To utilize this geographical advantage, we have initiated a proposal to enhance direct maritime connectivity between the two countries with a view to maximizing the benefits. An arrangement to establish direct ports connectivity between the two countries is being discussed by the relevant stakeholders in Sri Lanka and Oman. I personally visited Port of Sohar and the adjoining container terminal and freezone in Oman, and explored ways and means for collaboration.

e) As to the sports cooperation, we organized a series of sports tournaments including cricket, golf and hockey to mark the 40th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Sri Lanka and Oman. The commemorative year has opened a new chapter in the sports cooperation between Sri Lanka and the Sultanate of Oman. The first-ever international cricket played by the national cricket teams of Sri Lanka and Oman under the T20 World Cup tournament hosted by Oman, was held in October 2021 while the first-ever Hockey Tournament between the hockey clubs of the two countries was held in December 2021 coinciding with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

f) As to the labour relations, we have successfully implemented a mechanism in coordination with the Omani authorities, to curb the irregular migration/human trafficking of Sri Lankan female domestic workers into Oman.

Despite travel restrictions due to the pandemic, we have facilitated more than 6,500 employment opportunities under the domestic, skilled and professional categories in Oman including the recruitment of a large number of Sri Lankan doctors to the Omani Government hospitals.

As to the welfare of Sri Lankan Migrant Workers, we facilitated repatriation of more than 2,000 stranded Sri Lankan migrant workers back home in the year 2021.

g) To enhance our services to the Sri Lankan community in Oman, we have introduced a community outreach forum named ‘Talk with the Ambassador‘ in order to provide an opportunity for the members of the Sri Lankan community in Oman to talk directly with their Ambassador with a view to taking up their issues or sharing their suggestions. This forum takes place last Thursdays of every month from 09.00 am to 02.00 pm.

As a part of the commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between the two countries, we have initiated a tradition of honouring the long-serving Sri Lankan migrant workers in the host country and presenting them mementos to recognize their services to both the host and home countries.

WGF: You recently planted a Sri Lankan fruit sapling at Saara Oasis in Buraimi to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the countries of Sri Lanka and Oman. According to you, which actions – formal or informal, and direct or indirect – yield more and better results in diplomatic relations between two countries?

H.E. Ajwad: People-to-People (P2P) connectivity is the bedrock of the bilateral relations between the two countries which also serves as a catalyst in promoting all aspects of bilateral relations including political, economic, social, and cultural and sports cooperation between the two nations.

To achieve this objective, public diplomacy or people’s diplomacy plays a vital role in international relations. Practitioners of public diplomacy use a variety of instruments and methods ranging from personal contacts, traditional media, social media, and community engagements, cultural and sports exchanges and so on. Effective public diplomacy starts with reaching out to people, creating awareness between the peoples and building relationships between the peoples which, in fact, yield productive outcomes.

In this context, as a part of my public diplomacy engagements, I recently visited the Governorate of Al Buraimi, an Oasis town in the northwestern Oman, and participated in a series of local community engagement programmes including tree planting at the Saara Oasis Park which gets water from a 3,000-years-old traditional irrigation system called ‘Al Falaj al Sarrani’ in the region of Al Buraimi of Oman. I planted a Sri Lankan fruit sapling named Canistel fruit (egg fruit) at this historical Oasis jointly with the Hon. Mayor of the Governorate of Al Buraimi and other dignitaries of the Governorate, to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between the two friendly nations. This goodwill gesture which was widely covered by the State media and well received by the people, helped to create awareness about Sri Lanka and Oman relations among the people of the Sultanate of Oman. In addition, I also addressed the business community in Al Buraimi which helped us to discuss business opportunities available in both countries.

WGF: As a diplomat, what importance do you accord to international relations for a positive growth of the world? According to you, what improvements may be introduced for better relations between any two countries, or among several countries?

H.E. Ajwad: As I highlighted earlier, people-to-people connectivity plays a vital role in promoting relations between and among the countries. When the people of two countries have a direct experience of one another through various ways and means including travel, and have an understanding of each other’s culture, lifestyle, language and society, this helps to create trust, sense of empathy and connections which is resilient to the ups and downs of the political relationship. Similarly, promotion of intercultural relations between and among the nations help to connect people, understand and respect each other, for the good and co-operative relations which will enjoy public support. The mutual understanding that is gained through personal experiences and cultural relations could leave a long-lasting impression which increases people’s willingness to engage with each other throughout their lives.

Therefore, I believe that the promotion of people-to-people (P2P) connectivity through public diplomacy initiatives would help to establish sustainable relations between and among the peoples of countries, which would in turn serve as an impetus to invigorate people-to-people connectivity resulting in closer interaction in areas of mutual interest including economic, social, cultural, educational, sports and so on.

As such, more emphasis for the promotion of P2P initiatives in foreign policy priorities of countries would help to enhance interactions of peoples between and among nations paving the way for deepening cross-border connectivity and heightening mutual awareness and understanding of each other. This will, in fact, result in positive growth in all aspects of the bilateral and multilateral relations of the countries including in trade, investment as well as tourism, employment, etc. Increasing people-to-people contact will also help to reduce trust deficit between the countries, defuse political tensions and contribute to the stability and peace.

As to the sports cooperation, we organized a series of sports tournaments including cricket, golf and hockey to mark the 40th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Sri Lanka and Oman. The commemorative year has opened a new chapter in the sports cooperation between Sri Lanka and the Sultanate of Oman. The first-ever international cricket played by the national cricket teams of Sri Lanka and Oman under the T20 World Cup tournament hosted by Oman, was held in October 2021 while the first-ever Hockey Tournament between the hockey clubs of the two countries was held in December 2021 coinciding with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

WGF: You have a vast experience as a diplomat. According to you, what is the best form of diplomacy? If you had to offer one tip to young diplomats, what would it be?

H.E. Ajwad: I personally believe that the diplomacy which helps to promote connectivity, which is the cornerstone of the public diplomacy, between the peoples of two countries, is a more effective form of diplomacy and which also serves as an impetus for the performance of the other forms of diplomacy including economic diplomacy. Reaching out to people, establishing networks and building relationship will help to efficiently perform diplomatic functions.

In the post-COVID world, in particular, public diplomacy is becoming a more significant component of every nation’s international relations. The ‘soft power‘ that public diplomacy helps to generate is, in the present-day context, an indispensable currency in global affairs and the effective public diplomacy assumes new urgency for international cooperation.

Networking is the key to the effective performance of diplomatic functions, and hence young diplomats need to develop their skills, capacities and attitudes for this purpose.

WGF: Due to your concerted efforts and under your leadership, the Sri Lankan community in the Sultanate of Oman donated a consignment of medical equipment including ICU beds to treat COVID-19 patients. What other steps did you take for better management of COVID-19 in Oman?

H.E. Ajwad: COVID-19 posed multifaceted challenges to the diplomatic missions, especially missions which handle a large number of their migrant workers. Pandemic-related lockdowns, travel restrictions, closure of businesses and resultant job losses caused unprecedented challenges to the Embassies in handling the welfare of the migrant workers. Under this challenging time, we mobilized Sri Lankan community clubs and well-wishers to support the vulnerable members of our community in Oman.

We took a number of measures to manage the situation; established a special hotline service for the Sri Lankan community members to contact us for any assistance; released video messages to the community educating them of the host country’s Covid guidelines and instructions; distributed dry rations to those who had no access to food during lockdown; arranged emergency ambulance services to transport community members affected by the COVID; established a panel of community doctors to advise COVID affected patients; arranged special accommodation facilities for the stranded male and female migrant workers; arranged special flights to repatriate a large number of stranded migrant workers back home and their quarantine facilities; and facilitated vaccination of needy community members.

We also mobilized community well-wishers and the Embassy staff to contribute for the management of COVID situation back in Sri Lanka demonstrating our solidarity and social responsibility with our fellow citizens back home. We donated five fully equipped ICU beds to the Government hospitals in different provinces of Sri Lanka for the treatment of COVID patients in Sri Lanka.

As a part of my public diplomacy engagements I recently visited the Governorate of Al Buraimi, an Oasis town in the northwestern Oman, and participated in a series of local community engagement programmes including tree planting at the Saara Oasis Park which gets water from a 3,000-years-old traditional irrigation system called ‘Al Falaj al Sarrani’ in the region of Al Buraimi of Oman. I planted a Sri Lankan fruit sapling named Canistel fruit (egg fruit) at this historical Oasis jointly with the Hon. Mayor of the Governorate of Al Buraimi and other dignitaries of the Governorate, to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between the two friendly nations.

WGF: What are your plans for the year 2022?

H.E. Ajwad: In the Year 2022, we look forward to activating and implementing a number of initiatives that we have introduced during the commemorative year of 2021 in order to further elevate our bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and the Sultanate of Oman to new heights. To this end, we have scheduled the 3rd Political Consultation meeting between the Foreign Ministries of Sri Lanka and the Sultanate of Oman this year with a view to taking stock of the progress so far made in the entire gamut of areas of bilateral relations between the two countries and to planning a roadmap for the future direction of our bilateral relations. This high-level bilateral political consultation meeting between the two Foreign Ministries will serve as a launchpad for the implementation and the realization of the roadmap for the future cooperation in the areas of mutual interest.

We are also planning this year to publish a book highlighting the relations, past, present and future, between Sri Lanka and the Sultanate of Oman.