The Sri Lankan Expatriate Society Jeddah (SLESJ) held a reception in Jeddah Thursday, bringing together the past presidents of the society and new board members, including Sabarullah Khan, the Sri Lankan Consul General. Dr. H.M. Rafeek, the president of the SLESJ welcomed the guests and introduced new members of the board, including Khan; former president Neville Siriwardana; Vice President John Vinoth; Vice President N. Hassan Mahroof; Secretary M. Flyle Cader; Assistant Secretary Faizal Jameel; Treasurer Fazlul Haq Saduk; Logistics Supervisor M.S.M. Bassheer and Auditor M. Nizamudeen. “At this juncture, I would like to say the time is to repair the roof when the sun is shining; let's make use of this society. I am confident that with a committed set of board members, we will work for the benefit of the Sri Lankan community. Our task is to boost the image of our beloved motherland. We should put all our efforts into achieving the goals we set, as Sri Lankans for Sri Lanka,” said Rafeek. Shahul Hameed Salih, the founder of the SLESJ and a former president, said the society was founded in 1997 with the vision to work for the benefit of the Sri Lankan community, including setting up a school for their children. Khan said it was important to work together for the benefit of all such groups in the country. “It is a very important society and we have to help it grow. The members of the expatriate society are like ambassadors, who carry the message of Sri Lanka to other foreigners and the citizens of the host country. Our country's image is an asset which will be projected through our actions,” he remarked He added that the society must abide by the rules and culture of the Kingdom and cannot hot events like similar organizations in other countries. SLESJ are allowed 250 members but currently only have 100 to carry out all their activities. S. M. Farweez, another former president, said there are very high expectations of the board. “I hope future projects will be very helpful, and work will be done in a positive way with unity,” he said. Other board members include M. C. Nuhuman, Shajahan M. Ameen, M.S.M. Niyaz, Firoza Rafeek, Zareena Mahroof and Samila Basheer. Consulate representatives are W. R. A. N. Rathnayake and M. H. R. A. Iqram. Former presidents of SLESJ are Shahul Hameed Salih, S.M. Farweez, Rohan Burah, Shantha De Silva, Haj Mohideen Mahroof, Robert Mathew and Neville Siriwardana.
