About 5,500 Sri Lankans are expected to perform Haj this year. The Ministry of Haj is considering an increase in quota for Sri Lanka after the recent visit of the Sri Lankan Haj delegation. The five-member delegation was here last week to address the main issues of pilgrims for the Haj 2008. The team said it was assured that all required facilities in this regard would be provided to them. Earlier quota for Sri Lankan pilgrims was around 2,800 but it has been increased this year, said head of the delegation, Minister of Petroleum and Petroleum Resources Development A.H.M. Fouzi. The quota for each country depends on its Muslim population. Fouzi said the Sri Lankan Haj Committee has to cope with each and every aspect for the safety of the pilgrims. He said the Saudi Haj authorities have lauded the great facilities extended to Sri Lankan pilgrims. Due to shortage of buildings in the Two Holy Cities, accommodation charges could be slightly higher this year, he added. There is a 10 percent increase in expenditure per pilgrim, he said. The expenses per person range from SR10,000 to SR12,000 as per the facilities provided. Alwi Maulana, member of the Sri Lankan delegation, said a team of three doctors and other medical staff will accompany the pilgrims from Sri Lanka. “This year health and hygiene issues have assumed our primary concern as the number of pilgrims has increased,” he added. __
