Oman National Day : Time for Gratitude and Loyalty

by Zanita Careem

Shangri-La hotel was the venue for the Sultanate of Oman Ahamed Ali Said Rashdi to host a reception to celebrate thier 53rd National Day of the Sultanate of Oman. A large and distinguished gathering among whom were heads from the corporate sector, diplomats from many countries stood attention to the national anthems of both countries of Oman and Sri Lanka after which Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to Sri Lanka spoke of the close ties between the two countries in elucidate confidence. Excerpts of the speech.

Thank you very much for being here with us to celebrate Oman’s 53rd National Day. Year after year, my country has celebrated this day. It is a chance for us to reflect on Oman’s past and draw inspiration for Oman’s future. We remember Oman’s renaissance and rally together to achieve further progress and development.

This year my priority is to reaffirm Oman’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people’s legitimate right to freedom, dignity, and self determination. Gaza is currently subject to brutal and random Israeli aggression. This aggression has killed tens of thousands of people, and injured many more, leaving their loved ones distraught. Civilian infrastructure, humanitarian facilities and homes have been destroyed. Hundreds of thousands are displaced. Let there be no doubt that this aggression has surpassed all justification. It flagrantly violates all human ethics.

Today, I call on all policymakers to listen to their conscience and do everything in their power to stop this senseless war immediately. I call upon everyone to do all you can to achieve peace, to support those civilians who are suffering, and to stop the violence. We must widen the passages for the entry of relief aid into Gaza. And we must intensify political action, to appeal to the international community to fulfill its moral and legal duty. History has proven the impossibility of a military solution to the Palestinian issue.

The only solution is to end the illegitimate Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and establish an independent Palestinian state, with the borders of June 4, 1967 and East Jerusalem as its capital. This solution is in accordance with international law and the resolutions of the United Nations. And the establishment of a two state solution is the clear objective of the Arab Peace Initiative. Oman takes this opportunity to emphasize that we are dedicating all our energy and capabilities to delivering security and peace at all levels. This means achieving justice for Palestinians. In our view, it is a moral imperative to stand alongside the legitimate Palestinian cause. In today’s world, it is impossible to be blind to the suffering. You cannot look the other way. And we have a responsibility to act in pursuit of justice, in whatever way we can.

Oman will continue to use all means available to achieve peace, security, and justice.

The Sultanate of Oman and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka are traditional friendly countries with the relations dating back over many decades. The two countries established full diplomatic relations and set up Resident Embassies in each other’s capitals, Sri Lanka opened its Embassy in Muscat in 1987, and in 2013 the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman was opened in Colombo. The two countries celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the diplomatic relations in 17 February 2021. Both countries always strive to strengthen political and diplomatic cooperation.

Oman National carriers, Oman Air and Salam Air operate daily flights from Muscat to Colombo with future expansion plan. There are many Sri Lankan companies investing in the Sultanate of Oman and likewise many Omani companies investing in Sri Lanka. Several memorandum of understanding have been signed between the two countries with many more in the pipeline.

Oman Vision 2040 was set up as a fundamental guide for development between 2021 and 2040. It integrates reality with objective foresight. It aims to elevate Oman to the ranks of advanced countries in the fields of economy, society, environment, governance, and institutional development.

As part of Vision 2040, Oman is pursuing national strategies for economic diversification, energy transition, and carbon neutrality by 2050. Oman aims to take a leading position in the world’s green hydrogen industry. It has the main components necessary: abundant land, renewable energy potential, and human resources. Our experience in energy production and export, our strong international partnerships, and our position close to global markets and trade routes, will enable us to excel.

Sultanate of Oman with Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Education