Strengthening Buddhist Heritage Diplomacy: Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Thailand Delivers a Lecture at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University
The Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to UNESCAP in Bangkok, Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, was invited to deliver a lecture on “Guardians of the Dhamma: The Role of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and Anagarika Dharmapala’s Pioneering Efforts to Preserve Buddhagaya” at the Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, one of Thailand’s foremost centres of Buddhist higher education on 17 March 2026.
Ambassador Hosts Ms. Sri Lanka 2025 to Promote Cultural and Creative Collaboration Between Sri Lanka and Thailand
The Ambassador & Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to Thailand, Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, recently hosted Ms. Sri Lanka 2025, Prathiba Liyanarachchi, at the Official Residence of the Ambassador in Bangkok. The meeting was attended by members of the Embassy staff and several Sri Lankan ladies residing in Thailand.
Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UNESCAP Presents Credentialsbr
H.E Mrs.Samantha K.Jayasuriya presented Credentials to H.E. Ms. ArmidaSalsiahAlisjahbana, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission (UNESCAP) in Bangkok, as the new Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka, today.
Welcoming the new Permanent Representative, Executive Secretary Alisjahbana,outlined the mandate of the ESCAP and the upcoming regular and main sessions and invited continued active participation of Sri Lanka. Elaborating further on the three main areas in focusduring the 2020 Commission Session under the overarching theme of ‘Promoting economic, social and environmental cooperation on ocean for sustainable development,’ namely on sustainable maritime connectivity, fisheries and pollution free oceans, the Executive Secretary welcomed the interest of Sri Lanka to play a constructive role and to contribute to the deliberations.
While conveying the appreciation of the Government of Sri Lanka for the technical assistance and capacity building support that the ESCAP has been extending to Sri Lanka, the Permanent Representative also recalled that there were a number of Sri Lankans who have been providing their expertise and services to ESCAP either as consultants or employees. As a country that has recently graduated to the upper middle income status, PR Jayasuriya said that Sri Lanka has taken keen interest in promoting mutual dialogue and collaboration among Member States to ensure maritime safety, particularly safe and peaceful navigation in the Indian Ocean, sustainable fishing,reducing ocean pollution etc. Also, the country has enacted the Sustainable Development Act in 2017 and is incorporating SDGs in to its national policies she said. In this backdrop, she assured that Sri Lanka will lookfor more intense collaboration with the Commission in areas of mutual interest.
Second Secretary Ms. SarithaRanatunga was associated with the Permanent Representative, while Mr. Mitch Hsieh, Secretary and Mr. Lorenzo Santucci, Deputy Secretary of the Commission joined the Executive Secretary at the Meeting.
Note: The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) established in 1947 serves as the United Nations’ regional hub for promoting cooperation among Member States to achieve inclusive and sustainable development. Sri Lanka became a member of ESCAP in 1954 and since then has been receiving policy advisory services, capacity building and technical assistance for government agencies in achieving SDGs, disaster risk reduction, transport, energy, ICT developments etc).
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Bangkok
