Colombo: After the Kingdom held its first-ever Qur'an memorization competition in the nation, Sri Lanka's religious affairs minister told Arab News that the two countries are embarking on a path of cultural diplomacy.

The first Qur'an memorization competition was held in Colombo over the weekend by the Saudi Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Buddhism, Religious, and Cultural Affairs. The winners were announced at a closing ceremony on Monday.

According to Sri Lankan officials, the occasion opened a new chapter in the two countries' bilateral relations.

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"The bilateral ties between Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka are strong. "We are embarking on a path of cultural diplomacy," Minister of Buddhism, Religious, and Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickremanayake told Arab News outside of Monday's ceremony. "We have nurtured economic and political diplomacy with the Kingdom.

Participants in the competition, who came from various Sri Lankan cities and provinces, numbered in the hundreds.

Speaker of the Sri Lankan parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena stated that these competitions are "very important" for Sri Lankan Muslims, who make up about 10% of the country's Buddhist-majority population.

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During his speech at the event, Abeywardena said, "The comprehension of the teachings of the Holy Qur'an will help implant virtuous morals and gentle manners in them. "In our multiethnic Sri Lanka, their religiosity will result in a better social life."

Along with the Saudi ambassador to Sri Lanka, Khalid bin Hamoud Al-Kahtani, Badr Al-Anazi, a representative of the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance, also attended the ceremony in Colombo.

According to a statement released by the Saudi Embassy, Al-Anazi stated that the Kingdom is eager "to strengthen and deepen the ties between the two friendly countries... in various ways, including supporting Qur'anic competitions that seek to spread the approach of moderation that the Kingdom adopts and calls for.

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According to Faizal Abdeen, director of the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs, the Qur'an memorization competition may pave the way for future religious cooperation between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia.

Abdeen told Arab News, "I hope this is the beginning." "It's a good beginning; we can work together to explore new spheres of religious cooperation."