{"id":33242,"date":"2026-01-18T03:35:40","date_gmt":"2026-01-18T03:35:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bangkok.embassy.gov.lk\/minister-of-foreign-affairs-meets-with-ambassador-of-the-democratic-socialist-republic-of-sri-lanka-to-thailand\/"},"modified":"2026-01-20T03:49:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T03:49:16","slug":"minister-of-foreign-affairs-meets-with-ambassador-of-the-democratic-socialist-republic-of-sri-lanka-to-thailand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bangkok.embassy.gov.lk\/kh\/minister-of-foreign-affairs-meets-with-ambassador-of-the-democratic-socialist-republic-of-sri-lanka-to-thailand\/","title":{"rendered":"Minister of Foreign Affairs meets with Ambassador of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to Thailand"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#f3f3f3&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; width=&#8221;100%&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;40px|13px||13px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;|13px||13px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;|13px||13px|false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font=&#8221;Inter||||||||&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#2e2e2e&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;24px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>Press Releases<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; 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width=&#8221;100%&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;64px|13px||13px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;64px|13px|0px|13px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;64px|13px|0px|13px|false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _dynamic_attributes=&#8221;content&#8221; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#757575&#8243; text_font_size=&#8221;18px&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;21.75px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9jYXRlZ29yaWVzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6ImNhdGVnb3J5IiwiZW5hYmxlX2h0bWwiOiJvZmYifX0=@[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#2e2e2e&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;24px&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Minister of Foreign Affairs meets with Ambassador of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to Thailand<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_4,1_2,1_4&#8243; use_custom_gutter=&#8221;on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.23.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; width=&#8221;100%&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|13px|0px|13px|false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_blog posts_number=&#8221;2&#8243; include_categories=&#8221;7&#8243; show_author=&#8221;off&#8221; show_date=&#8221;off&#8221; show_categories=&#8221;off&#8221; show_excerpt=&#8221;off&#8221; show_pagination=&#8221;off&#8221; disabled_on=&#8221;on|on|off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.23.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; header_text_color=&#8221;#2e2e2e&#8221; header_line_height=&#8221;21.78px&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;|25px||75px|false|false&#8221; link_option_url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; border_width_all=&#8221;0px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_blog][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/bangkok.embassy.gov.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2569-01-20-at-10.35.17.png&#8221; alt=&#8221;25 Sri Lankans Rescued from Cybercrime Centers in Myawaddy, Myanmar Repatriated on 16 December 2025&#8243; title_text=&#8221;Screenshot 2569-01-20 at 10.35.17&#8243; align=&#8221;center&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text content_last_edited=&#8221;off|desktop&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; text_font_size=&#8221;18px&#8221; header_text_color=&#8221;#2e2e2e&#8221; header_font_size=&#8221;32px&#8221; header_line_height=&#8221;41.86px&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; content__hover_enabled=&#8221;off|desktop&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<div class=\"x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\">\n<div dir=\"auto\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span>On 15 January 2026, H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Minister of Foreign Affairs, had a discussion with H.E. Mrs. E.A.S. Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, Ambassador of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to Thailand, to raise the issue of the wellbeing of the two Thai elephants in Sri Lanka.<\/span><\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<div dir=\"auto\"><span>The Foreign Minister underscored the significance of the Thai elephants as a symbol of long-standing friendship between the two countries and requested the Sri Lankan side to attach due importance to the welfare of the two Thai elephants in Sri Lanka, as this is a matter of great interest for the Thai public. He also emphasized that animal welfare is a critical issue to the international community. The Foreign Minister proposed the retirement of Phlai Pratoopha and the limitation of the scope of the duties of Phlai Srinarong in accordance with the initial purpose of sending the Thai elephants as a gift of friendship.  <\/span><\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\"> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<div dir=\"auto\"><span>Both sides agreed with the initiative to have an MoU safeguarding the welfare of the two Thai elephants in accordance with international standards, including establishing a cooperation mechanism between relevant agencies of both countries to ensure the welfare of the Thai elephants, and a joint inspection of the elephants\u2019 health by specialists and veterinarians in order to provide factual reporting to the public. The Ambassador of Sri Lanka informed the Foreign Minister of the Sri Lanka\u2019s plans to retire Phlai Pratoopha after the annual Esala Perahera procession of the Sacred Tooth Relic ceremony in 2027. She also reaffirmed that the two Thai elephants are regarded as sacred animals in Sri Lanka and that the people of Sri Lanka hold them in high esteem.  <\/span><\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\"> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\">\n<div dir=\"auto\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span>The Foreign Minister also expressed condolences on the severe flood in Sri Lanka in December 2025.<\/span><\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><\/span><\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span>Original press release can be read <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mfa.go.th\/en\/content\/fm-meets-sri-lanka-amb-15-dec-26-en?cate=5d5bcb4e15e39c306000683e\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=&#8221;33215,33219,33223,33227&#8243; show_title_and_caption=&#8221;off&#8221; show_pagination=&#8221;off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_gallery][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_post_nav in_same_term=&#8221;on&#8221; prev_text=&#8221;P&#8221; next_text=&#8221;Next&#8221; module_class=&#8221;c-post-nav&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; width=&#8221;70%&#8221; width_tablet=&#8221;100%&#8221; width_phone=&#8221;100%&#8221; width_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; max_width=&#8221;1130px&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;|10px||10px|false|true&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_post_nav][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.23.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;|13px||13px|false|true&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.23.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_blog fullwidth=&#8221;off&#8221; posts_number=&#8221;2&#8243; include_categories=&#8221;7&#8243; show_author=&#8221;off&#8221; show_date=&#8221;off&#8221; show_categories=&#8221;off&#8221; show_excerpt=&#8221;off&#8221; show_pagination=&#8221;off&#8221; disabled_on=&#8221;off|off|on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.23.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; header_text_color=&#8221;#2e2e2e&#8221; header_line_height=&#8221;21.78px&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;|0px||0px|false|true&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;off|tablet&#8221; link_option_url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; border_width_all=&#8221;0px&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_blog][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On 15 January 2026, H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Minister of Foreign Affairs, had a discussion with H.E. Mrs. E.A.S. Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, Ambassador of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to Thailand, to raise the issue of the wellbeing of the two Thai elephants in Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":33207,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[45,44],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-33242","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-frontpage-kh","category-press-releases-kh"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bangkok.embassy.gov.lk\/kh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33242","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bangkok.embassy.gov.lk\/kh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bangkok.embassy.gov.lk\/kh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bangkok.embassy.gov.lk\/kh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bangkok.embassy.gov.lk\/kh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33242"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/bangkok.embassy.gov.lk\/kh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33242\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33245,"href":"https:\/\/bangkok.embassy.gov.lk\/kh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33242\/revisions\/33245"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bangkok.embassy.gov.lk\/kh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33207"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bangkok.embassy.gov.lk\/kh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33242"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bangkok.embassy.gov.lk\/kh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33242"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bangkok.embassy.gov.lk\/kh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33242"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}