First group of pilgrims departs for Hajj

The first group of 325 pilgrims departed from Katunayake airport for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, last night to mark the beginning of the 2026 Hajj season.

A ceremony took place at the airport departure terminal attended by Deputy Speaker Rizvi Salley, Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Khalid Hamoud Al-Kahtani, and members of the Sri Lanka Hajj Committee.

3,500 individuals are selected to participate in the Hajj pilgrimage this year.