First Hajj Pilgrimage Group Departs for Saudi Arabia

The 2026 Hajj pilgrimage season has officially commenced with the departure of the first group of 325 pilgrims from Katunayake International Airport. The flight, operated by Saudia Airlines (SV-839), departed for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on the night of June 1st. The ceremony at the departure terminal was attended by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Risvi Salali, Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Khaled Hamoud Al-Qahtani, and senior officials from the Sri Lanka Hajj Committee. Notably, a total of 3,500 pilgrims have been selected for this year's pilgrimage.