The Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Thailand, E.A.S. Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, paid an official visit to Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (MCU) to discuss avenues for strengthening religious and academic cooperation between Sri Lanka and Thailand, rooted in their long-standing Theravada Buddhist heritage.
Founded in 1887 by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University was established with the vision of providing higher education for Buddhist monks, novices, and laypersons, with a strong emphasis on Buddhist studies alongside other academic fields. The University comprises several academic units, including the Faculty of Buddhist Studies, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Social Sciences, the Graduate School, and the International Buddhist Studies College.
Upon arrival, the Ambassador was received by the Vice Rector for the Foreign Affairs of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Phrama Surasak Pajantasen, . the Director of Dhammaduta College, Seng Hurng Narindo, and the Senior Lecturer of the University, Walmoruwe Piyarathana Thero. During the visit, Ambassador met Sri Lankan Buddhist monks, including a Bhikkhuni,who are currently pursuing studies in Buddhist philosophy, Pali, Sanskrit, and related disciplines at the university.
In his remarks, the Vice Rector, Phrama Surasak Pajantasen underscored the special place Sri Lanka holds in the hearts of the Thai people and recalled the historic visit of Upali Thero to Sri Lanka during the Kandyan period, which led to the re-establishment of Upasampada (higher ordination) and the founding of the Siyam Nikaya. He noted that both the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters of the Siyam Nikaya continue to be held in high esteem in Thailand. He also highlighted ongoing efforts to facilitate study visits for Buddhist monks and nuns to Sri Lanka, including visits to Sri Dalada Maligawa and the Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy in Kandy.
The Ambassador and the Vice Rector exchanged views on further enhancing religious and educational cooperation through academic exchanges, joint programmes, and initiatives aimed at fostering spiritual and scholarly development. In this context, the Vice Rector extended an invitation to the Ambassador to plant a Sri Maha Bodhi sapling at the University premises in the near future, symbolizing the enduring spiritual bonds between the two countries.
The visit reaffirmed the deep-rooted Buddhist ties between Sri Lanka and Thailand and the shared commitment to preserving and promoting the Theravada Buddhist tradition through education, dialogue, and people-to-people exchanges.
The meeting was attended by the Minister Counsellor/Head of Chancery, Thilini Ihalage, Minister Counsellor/Commercial, Shiwanthi Abeyrathne, and the Defence Attaché of the Embassy, Group Captain Vajira Sampath Jayakoddy.
Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka
Bangkok
21 January 2026
