On 06th December 2023, Deputy Permanent Secretary Busadee Santipitaks of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, launched the new web site of the Embassy and the Permanent Mission to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission (UNESCAP) of Sri Lanka.

After warmly welcoming Deputy Permanent Secretary Busadee Santipitaks and all distinguished dignitaries for the historic occasion of online launch of new website, the Ambassador and Permanent Representative C.A. Chaminda I. Colonne elaborated on how the new web site would become a digital gate to further consolidate and enhance Sri Lanka’s relations with Thailand, Cambodia, Lao bilaterally and with UNESCAP multilaterally.

While commending and congratulating the launch of new website, the Deputy Permanent Secretary Busadee Santipitaks recalled the strong and cordial relations between Sri Lanka and Thailand based on Theravada Buddhism and shared believes. She added that the Government of Thailand is pleased with the expansion of bilateral ties in many areas, and economic relations and investment to be enhanced through the upcoming conclusion of the bilateral Free Trade Agreement negotiations. She stated the launch of new website would increase the public awareness and public knowledge about Thailand and Sri Lanka.

She acknowledged with appreciation of inclusion of key areas ranging from history, development cooperation, education to economic cooperation and tourism etc. She emphasized that as year 2025 will mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Sri Lanka, the website is a timely launch to help enhance the mutual understanding and forge closer relations between the two countries and its’ peoples.

Deputy Permanent Secretary has assured the commitment of Thailand as a true friend to work closely with Sri Lanka in all areas in common interest bilaterally, regionally and multilaterally cross sectors in many years to come.

Facilitating the Thai nationals to understand and read on Sri Lanka easily in their own mother tongue, the new website caters Thai language version. Further, Khemer (Cambodian) and Laotian languages will also be incorporated, for the concurrently accredited countries.

Through the new web site, one can also easily understand Sri Lanka’s prominent role multilaterally at UNESCAP.

Siam (Thailand) and Lanka (Sri Lanka) which profess Buddhism as their state religion have excellent 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. Therefore, to educate our younger generations on bilateral long-standing friendly relations, History of Ayutthaya Wat Thammaram and National office of Buddhism have been incorporated to the Mission’s new website.

The bilateral MoUs and Agreements signed with the Governments of Thailand, Cambodia & Laos have also been included for public awareness and their use.  Under the Scholarships and Development assistance, one can obtain all the details of the Universities in Thailand and the Scholarships provided.

For the very first time, a database of Sri Lankans living in Thailand, Cambodia and Laos is established in the new website.

In order to promote economic diplomacy, “e-commerce” platform has been incorporated to the new website. Through the QR code introduced in the new web site, one can easily obtain updated information on economic, trade, and investment, tourism etc. in Sri Lanka.

For the very first time, connecting South East Asia region with Sri Lanka directly, the new web site is also included with many vital institutions of Sri Lanka.

Facilitating Sri Lankans to get connected with Thailand easily and obtain authentic information, for the very first time, the new web site is  incorporated with important institutions in Thailand namely National Assembly, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Office of Buddhism, Thai Immigration, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Interior, Department of Customs, Community Development Department, Thailand International Cooperation Agency(TICA), Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Agency    (NEDA), Board of Investment, Food and Drug Administration, the Gem and Jewelry Institute, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thai Industrial Standards Institute, Federation of Thai Industries, The Thai Chamber of Commerce & Board of Trade, National Trade Repository, and History of Ayuthaya Wat Dhammaram etc.

Among these vital institutions, the National Office of Buddhism, History of Ayutthaya Wat Thammaram, Thailand International Cooperation Agency, Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand, Board of Investment of Thailand, Asian Institute of Technology, and Overseas Sri Lankans were got connected to the new web site by the Former Ambassador of Thailand to Sri Lanka Poj Harnpol, Director General Intaporn Janiaem of the National Office of Buddhism, Director General Ureerat Chareontoh of the Thailand International Cooperation Agency, Director Sumed Prasongpongchai of  the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand,  Executive Director Patcharada Nawakawongkarn of the Board of Investment of Thailand, President Prof. Kazuo Yamamoto of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and  Executive Director Sanjeev Jayasinghe, Advancement and Alumni Affairs Office of the AIT and a Sri Lankan  lives in Bangkok for more than 32 years and a recent distinguished Alumni Awardee by AIT, respectively. All distinguished dignitaries present highly commended and congratulated the Ambassador and team of the mission on the launch of new website.

In conclusion, Ambassador Chaminda Colonne expressed her sincere appreciation to Deputy Permanent Secretary Busadee Santipitaks of Foreign Affairs and all distinguished dignitaries of Thailand, website designer Michael Nordstrom and his team of Lion Digital Marketing Co. Ltd for creating our user friendly and secured new web site and also to the officials of Sri Lanka Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT), Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka and her staff for their support extended during the creation of the new web site.

Embassy and Permanent of Mission Sri Lanka

Bangkok

06th December 2023