Sri Lanka joins “Reinvigoration of Ayutthaya’s Foreign Relations” conducted by the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Thailand

Recently, at the invitation of Chairman of the Senate Committee on Upholding the Monarchy, in collaboration with the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Thailand, Ambassador and Permanent Representative C.A. Chaminda I Colonne, and Spouse Stephen Senanayake joined the inauguration ceremony on “Reinvigoration of Ayutthaya’s Foreign Relations” at Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, together with Ambassadors and Representatives from six other countries, Iran, Indonesia Vietnam, India, China, Japan, who enjoys historical relations with Ayutthaya.

On arrival at Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre, Senator Withaya Pewpong, Chairman of the Working Group, Governor of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, President of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Rajabhat University welcomed the Ambassadors and their Spouses and toured around the Exhibition on Ayutthya International Relations at the Study Center. During his opening remarks, Senator Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Upholding the Monarchy, and Professor Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, President of the Senate highlighted on the Ayutthya’s historical international relations with different countries, when it was the capital of Siam.

At the Sri Lanka corner of the Exhibition on Ayutthya International Relations, Ambassador Chaminda Colonne outlined on Sri Lanka’s historical relations with Thailand.

Siam (Thailand) and Lanka (Sri Lanka) which profess Buddhism as their state religion have cordial relationship, especially in religion, arts and culture that extend over a span of seven centuries. Ayutthaya of Siam and Kandy of Lanka are the epicenters of these historical relations. Historical records proves that the historical relationship of Buddhism between Thailand (Siam) and Sri Lanka (Ceylon) in the forms of continuity, development and revival of Buddhism in both countries. Each country has played a vital role of transmitter and receiver, brotherly support at crucial moments in the history of the two nations. As results, Buddhism has been firmly established in both countries until today.

The “Lankavong” or “Lankavamsa” Buddhism in Siam has been introduced since the time of King Ram Khamhaeng the Great. This is evidenced from one of the King’s Rock inscriptions dated back to 1277 CE. This form of Buddhism Lankavong” or “Lankavamsa” was widely practiced in Thailand and continued until today.

By the mid -18th century, ‘upasampada’ (higher ordination, as distinct from samanera or novice ordination) had become extinct in Sri Lanka again. King Sri Vijaya Rajasingha of Lanka sent an envoy with a royal epistle and tributes to the Siamese King Borommakot of Ayutthaya Kingdom inviting Siamese Sanghas on mission to revive Buddhism in Sri Lanka, on the initiative of Ven. Weliwita Sri Saranankara Thero (1698–1778). But King Sri Vijaya Rajasingha died in 1747. During reign of King ‘Kittisiri Raja Siha’ or ‘Kirti Sriraj Singha’ (1747–1782), the successor of late King Sri Vijaya Rajasingha, sent a Sinhala envoy to present the royal epistle and tribute to King Borommakot of Ayutthaya, requesting Siamese monks to ordain the Sinhalese. King Borommakot of Ayutthaya granted Buddhist Scriptures Thripitaka and 25 monks under the lead of Phra Upali from Thammaram Temple, Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya Province and to establish ordination in Lanka.

The Siamese Sangha’s journey to revive Buddhism in Sri Lanka flourished Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka again. Sri Lanka, therefore, named the Lankan monks who were ordained by Phra Upali as “Upaliwong” or “Siamwong”, “Siam Nikaya” becomes one of the most respected Buddhist sects in Sri Lanka, respected by the majority of Sihalalese descendants, until now. After extraordinary services to the two nations of Lanka and Siym, Phra Upali Thero passed away in Kandy, Sri Lanka.

Today, Phra Upali Maha Thera Museum has been established at Thammaram Temple, Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya and City of Kandy in Sri Lanka have been declared as “Sister Cities” of the two brotherly nations.

All seven countries enjoying historical relations with Ayutthya also participated in the exhibition displaying souvenirs that represent national identity of each country. Products from Spices and Allied Products Marketing Board and Artifacts from the National Crafts Council were showcased and Ceylon Tea was offered at the Sri Lanka booth.

Embassy & Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka
Bangkok
24th December 2022