Marking the start of the 2026 Hajj season, the first group of 325 Sri Lankan pilgrims departed from Bandaranaike International Airport to Jeddah yesterday (01).

A ceremony was held at the departure terminal, attended by Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih and Khalid Hamoud Alkahtani, along with officials from the Sri Lanka Hajj Committee.

The group travelled on a special flight operated by Saudi Arabian Airlines, which departed Katunayake at 9:05 p.m.

A total of 3,500 Sri Lankan pilgrims have been selected for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage, with additional travel arrangements made through Qatar Airways.