The Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Bangkok successfully facilitated and participated in a series of discussions and negotiations to finalize two important bilateral instruments on labour cooperation between Sri Lanka and the Kingdom of Thailand.

A series of constructive negotiations were held virtually with the participation of relevant authorities from both countries to deliberate on the draft texts of the Memorandum of Understanding between Sri Lanka and Thailand on Labour Cooperation and the Agreement on the Employment of Sri Lankan Workers in Thailand.

The Sri Lankan delegation comprised Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to Bangkok and officials of the Mission, Dr. M. M. S. S. B Yalegama, Additional Secretary/Foreign Employment, Mr. K. Nikarilkanth, Director/ Foreign Employment and other officilas of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka, and Mr. Koshala Wickramasinghe, Chairman, Mr. D. D. P. Senanayake, General Manager, Mr. P. G. G. S. Yapa, Additional General Manager (Foreign Relations) of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment. The Thai delegation was led by Mr. Sakdinath Sonthisakyothin, Assistant Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour. The delegation included Ms. Sadudee Kittisuwan, Director of the International Cooperation Bureau, Ms. Sureeporn Tuppasoot, Senior Expert on International Cooperation, and other officials from the Ministry of Labour and the Department of Employment of Thailand.

Following comprehensive and cordial discussions, the two texts were finalized by both sides. The agreed drafts will now be submitted to the respective Governments for necessary approvals prior to signature. The signing ceremony is expected to take place at the Ministerial level during the first quarter of 2026.

The finalization of the Memorandum of Understanding on Labour Cooperation and the Agreement on the Employment of Sri Lankan Workers in Thailand is the result of sustained engagement and close coordination between the relevant authorities of both countries. This important achievement follows the approval granted by the Thai Cabinet to recruit 10,000 workers from Sri Lanka under a pilot project designed to address labour shortages in Thailand. The initiative is expected to create structured and gainful employment opportunities for Sri Lankan workers in key sectors such as construction, agriculture and livestock, food and beverage, industry, educational institutions, aquatic animal process and mining etc.

The successful conclusion of these two legal instruments marks a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral cooperation between Sri Lanka and Thailand. It reflects the shared commitment of both Governments to ensuring safe, orderly, and mutually beneficial labour mobility, while safeguarding the rights and welfare of workers under a transparent and regulated framework.

Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka

11 February 2026