In the wake of the signing of the Sri Lanka - Thailand Free Trade Agreement (SLTFTA) on 03 February 2024 which marked the commencement of a new era of Sri Lanka - Thailand bilateral relations, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce of Thailand Phumtham Wechayachai, joined as Guest of Honour at the celebration of Sri Lanka’s 76th Anniversary of Independence in Bangkok. The event was held at the Siam Society under the Royal Patronage in Bangkok on 09 February 2024, organized by the Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Thailand.
More than 300 guests, including Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Ambassadors, Members of the diplomatic corps, Senators and Members of the National Assembly, Members of the Royal Thai Police and Tri Forces, Representatives of International Organizations, Senior Officials of the Ministries, Departments, Agencies of the Government of Thailand, Business Entities, Universities and other agencies in Thailand and the Sri Lankan community joined the celebrations at the invitation of the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Thailand and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP Chaminda Colonne and Spouse Stephan Senanayake.
Lighting the traditional oil lamp, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, Phumtham Wechayachai and the Ambassador of Sri Lanka and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, Chaminda Colonne commenced the proceedings of the Celebrations.
The Royal Anthem of the Kingdom of Thailand was sung, followed by the National Anthem of Sri Lanka in Sinhala and Tamil languages. Thereafter, two minutes of silence was observed, in remembrance of all who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
During the welcome address, Ambassador Chaminda Colonne stated that Sri Lanka-Thailand bilateral relations spans over more than seven centuries based on Theravada Buddhism, and will be celebrating the 70th Anniversary of establishment of formal Diplomatic Relations with Thailand, next year in 2025. Ambassador Colonne added that signifying the strength of diplomatic ties between the two nations, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of Thailand was the Guest of Honour at the Celebrations of 76th Anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence in Colombo on 04 February 2024, at the invitation of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. She also referred to the signing of the Sri Lanka - Thailand Free Trade Agreement during that visit as a historic occasion.
The Independence Day messages of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry were read by the Ambassador.
Thereafter, Ambassador Chaminda Colonne proposed a toast for the good health and happiness of His Majesty the King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Her Majesty the Queen, the continued progress and prosperity of the Government and people of the Kingdom of Thailand, further strengthening of the longstanding excellent relations between Sri Lanka and the Kingdom of Thailand.
During his special address, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, Phumtham Wechayachai, stated that "he witnessed the rapid economic recovery of Sri Lanka, with rising number of tourist arrivals and tourism revenue and stabilizing currency and inflation rate, during his recent visit to Sri Lanka and commended the Government of Sri Lanka on this impressive outcome.
I sincerely hope that further such interactions and exchanges will take place between our two countries in coming years to further enhance the bilateral trade and economic relations to the next level. I believe that this will bring about prosperity for the people of our two countries”.
Thereafter, a toast was proposed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce of Thailand for President Ranil Wickremesinghe, progress and prosperity of the Government and people of Sri Lanka and long-lasting Sri Lanka Thailand bilateral relations.
The event was concluded with the dinner reception hosted by Ambassador Chaminda Colonne and Spouse Stephan Senanayake.
On the morning of 04 February 2024 Ambassador Chaminda Colonne hoisted the national flag and religious observances were conducted by Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Islam clergy at the Official Residence of the Ambassador.
Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka
Bangkok
15 February 2024
