President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has extended condolences on behalf of the Government and people of Sri Lanka following the death of Qatar’s former Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
In a message posted on X, the President said Sheikh Hamad’s “visionary leadership and contributions to Qatar” would be remembered. He conveyed his sympathies to the current Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Royal Family, and the people of Qatar.
Sheikh Hamad, widely regarded as the architect of modern Qatar, died on Sunday (July 12) at the age of 74, the country’s Amiri Diwan announced. He ruled the Gulf state from 1995 to 2013, when he handed power to his son, Sheikh Tamim — a rare voluntary abdication by a hereditary Gulf ruler.
During his reign, Sheikh Hamad transformed the small peninsula into one of the world’s wealthiest nations per capita, driven by a rapid expansion of liquefied natural gas production, and lifted Qatar’s global profile through sovereign investments and the founding of the Al Jazeera media network. Qatar has declared a period of national mourning, with flags lowered to half-mast.
The message of condolence underlines Colombo’s ties with Doha, home to a large Sri Lankan migrant workforce whose remittances are a significant source of foreign exchange for the island.
Update (July 14) — Prime Minister travels to Doha: Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya departed for Qatar on Tuesday (July 14) to convey the condolences of the Sri Lankan government and people in person and pay her final respects to the late Father Emir. Airport sources said the delegation left Bandaranaike International Airport at 6.50pm aboard SriLankan Airlines flight UL217 to Doha, with several opposition Members of Parliament travelling on the same flight to attend the funeral. Colombo said the visit would also reaffirm the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
