Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Thailand, E.A.S. Wijayanthi Edirisinghe joined the charity event organized by the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital in the Mahidol University. The event was organized to introduce an upcoming charity programme, titled “Love for Humanity” which will provide knee replacement surgeries for selected patients at Kandy Hospital, carried out by the Orthopaedic Unit of Siriraj Hospital. This initiative commemorates the 70th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Thailand and also celebrates the 70th Birthday of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The project is scheduled to take place from 15–21 November 2025 at the National Hospital in Kandy.
The mission is carried out in the spirit of compassion; reflecting the strong Buddhist ties and enduring friendship between Sri Lanka and Thailand. It is made possible through the generous support of Buddhist temples Abbots including Phra Rajbhavanawachirakon (Luang Por Inthawathai Santussako), Abbot of Wat Pa Nakham Noi, Phra Ratchavachiradhammajarn (Luang Por Sutham Sudhammo), Abbot of Wat Pa Ban Tat, and Phra Brahmasakyawong Wisut (Luang Por Anilman Dhammasakiyo), Assistant Abbot of Wat Bowonniwet Vihara.
During the remarks Ambassador Edirisinghe thanked Siriraj hospital for organizing charity programme and briefly highlighted the free health system of Sri Lanka and significant achievements of health sector. The event was presided over by Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Prof. Dr. Apichat Asavamongkolkul. Distinguished attendees included senior monks from Thailand, Ambassador of Thailand to Sri Lanka, Paitoon Mahapanaporn, and Head of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Physical Medicine, Prof. Dr. Keerati Chareancholvanich. Doctors and Officials from Kandy Hospital also joined virtually for the event.
The knee replacements project was initiated by the Faculty of Medicine of Siriraj Hospital for the first time in Sri Lanka through close coordination between the Embassy of Sri Lanka, Bangkok, the Royal Thai Embassy in Colombo, and Kandy hospital. This project brings forward a spiritual commitment to harness the power of humanity to create tangible and meaningful benefits for people, while also highlighting Thailand’s generosity in sharing their medical expertise and advanced technology with health professionals in Sri Lankan hospitals.
The volunteer medical team will conduct knee replacement surgeries at the National Hospital of Kandy this year. The initiative will provide treatment for 79 patients, totaling 100 knees, offering life-changing medical care to those in need. Beyond delivering advanced surgical interventions, the project also emphasizes knowledge transfer to Sri Lankan medical teams, thereby strengthening long-term public health capacity and fostering sustainable cooperation across borders.
Embassy & Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka
Bangkok
14 November 2025
