A friendly Rugby match between the Under 19 National Teams of Thailand and Sri Lanka was held on 14 September 2015 in Bangkok in celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the two countries.
The match was jointly organized by the Sri Lanka Embassy in Bangkok, the Ministry of Sports and Department of Physical Education in Thailand. Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Thailand, Kshenuka Senewiratne and Vice Minister of Sports and Tourism of Thailand, Professor (Ms) Chavanee Tongroach graced the occasion. The event was well attended by the Sri Lankan community in Bangkok and the staff of the Sri Lanka Embassy. The players demonstrated a spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie, irrespective of gritty competition resulting in a draw with both teams scoring 12 points.
On the occasion, the Vice Minister of Sports and Tourism hosted a dinner which was attended by Ambassador Senewiratne and the staff of the Embassy, the Rugby teams and officials of both countries. Professor Tongroach in her welcome speech alluded to the strong traditional and historical relations between the two countries and the need to further strengthen these ties. Ambassador Senewiratne, speaking on the occasion, observed that the Rugby match launched a new facet in the bilateral links by forging ties through youth, who were the national assets of the future. The Ambassador, therefore, concluded that the Sri Lanka – Thai ties would continue to flourish and deepen. Ambassador also noted that the Thai people occupied a special place among Sri Lankans, particularly, sharing of a common religious culture.
Sri Lanka and the Kingdom of Thailand have traditionally shared close ties since ancient times, dating back to the 18th Century, when Buddhist Monks from Thailand (then Siam) established Upasampada and pioneered the establishment of the Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Bangkok
18th September 2015
