On the sidelines of the 6th Round of Political Consultations, Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism of Sri Lanka, Aruni Ranaraja paid a courtesy call on Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Lalivan Karnchanachari during her official visit to Bangkok on 24 March 2024. Their discussions centered on strengthening cultural diplomacy, expanding bilateral cooperation, and further deepening the longstanding ties rooted in Theravāda Buddhism.
A key highlight of the meeting was the shared commitment to preserving and promoting Buddhist heritage, particularly through the digitization and translation of the Tripitaka. Both Sri Lanka and Thailand have contributed significantly to this effort, reinforcing their common mission to safeguard Buddhist scriptures for future generations. Additionally, Pali, the sacred language of Theravāda Buddhism is extensively studied in both countries, further strengthening their scholarly and monastic ties.
Recognizing the deep-rooted cultural bonds, both sides underscored the importance of reviewing and renewing the Cultural Cooperation Agreement signed in 1981, with the hope that a new and revitalized agreement can be concluded within the year. This renewal is expected to further enhance collaboration in religious, artistic, and academic exchanges.
The discussions also emphasized the potential for developing cultural tourism, leveraging the shared Buddhist heritage to enhance connectivity and strengthen people-to-people engagement. Both Sri Lanka and Thailand stand to benefit from deeper collaboration in this sector, fostering mutual understanding and economic opportunities.
Sri Lanka delegation included Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Thailand and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, Wijayanthi Edirisinghe; Director (South East Asia & Central Asia), Thilini Ihalage; Acting Director of Commerce, Chandima Kiriwandala and Head of Chancery of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Bangkok, A.W.S. Samanmali.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to advancing bilateral relations through cultural diplomacy and initiating new avenues of cooperation, building on the centuries-old friendship between the two countries.
Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka
Bangkok
04 April 2025
