Political relations
- The religious and cultural links between Sri Lanka and Cambodia dates back to the 5th Century as the epigraphically evidence suggests that Mahavihara and Abhayagiri of Sri Lanka had made an early impact on the development of Theravadha Buddhism in South East Asia when a substantial part of this region was dominated by the Mon Khmer culture, which later became part of the Khmer empire.
- The historical relations are based on Buddhism as both countries practice Theravada Buddhism.
- Formal Diplomatic Relations, established in 1952, have remained strong and cordial.
- HE the (then) President of Sri Lanka undertook a State Visit to Cambodia in August 2019.
- Then Prime Minister of Sri Lanka met Prime Minister of Cambodia in Hanoi, Vietnam in September 2018 on the side lines of World Economic Forum on ASEAN and Cambodian Prime Minister invited Sri Lankan entrepreneurs to invest in Cambodia. Among other things, it has been discussed about Agreement on Exemption of Visa Requirements for Holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports between Sri Lanka and Cambodia and also about formulating individual investment security agreement.
- The two countries engage in cooperation between the defence officials in the field of defence and security in the multilateral fora, specifically the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)
- Neither country maintains a resident Mission in the other’s capital. Cambodia is accredited to Sri Lanka through its Mission in New Delhi. While the Bangkok Mission was accredited to Cambodia, and this accreditation was reviewed in mid-2016 through a Cabinet Decision for consideration of appointment of a NRA-which is a pending matter.
Socio-Cultural Cooperation
- Buddhist exchange between Cambodia and Sri Lanka is dating back to the 12th century.
- A Sri Lankan Buddhist temple is situated in Phnom Penh – Wat Lanka.
- The then Hon Minister of Justice & Buddhasasana of Sri Lanka visited Cambodia in the beginning of 2017 to extend invitations to dignitaries from both the government and religious institutions for the UN International Vesak Day marked in May 2017 in Sri Lanka. Following this invitation, Cambodian delegations attended the celebrations in Colombo. The official delegation was led by the Minister of Culture & Religion of Cambodia.
- It was also noted during this visit that several Cambodian high ranking officials have spent their temporary priesthood in Sri Lanka, which is an element that could be exploited to develop further relations. Further, there are many exchange visits of monks from Sri Lanka and Cambodia. This aspect would be furthered to enhance religious tourism, which would be relevant to the region considering the number of Theravada Buddhist countries.
Ambassador C.A. Chaminda I. Colonne presents the Letter of Credence to the His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of the Kingdom of Cambodia
His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of the Kingdom of Cambodia has graciously granted the Royal Audience to C.A. Chaminda I. Colonne, Sri Lanka Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, accrediting her as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Cambodia, on 09th May 2022, for the Presentation of Letter of Credence at the Royal Palace, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Ambassador Chaminda Colonne was accompanied by her spouse Mr. Stephen Senanayake for the credential ceremony.
After warmly welcoming the Ambassador and spouse, the King Norodom Sihamoni extended sincere best wishes to the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and recalled long-standing friendly relations and co-operation for many centuries with Sri Lanka, based on Buddhist religious values. Ambassador Chaminda Colonne conveyed warm greetings from the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka to the King Norodom Sihamoni, and assured her fullest cooperation and support in enhancing and consolidating excellent longstanding bonds of friendship and cooperation with the Kingdom.
While recalling the 70th Anniversary of establishment formal diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Cambodia which falls on 28th May 2022, the King Norodom Sihamoni assured his fullest support and cooperation to enhance and encourage active engagement between the two countries to furthering of political, economic and trade relations in the years ahead. In response, Ambassador highlighted the importance of entering into bilateral Agreement on Air services, Investment Promotion and Protection and Avoidance of Double taxation, establishment of direct air links facilitating bilateral trade, economic and trade ties and people to people contacts. Both also discussed on holding series of events celebrating 70th Anniversary establishment of formal relations. The invitation extended by Ambassador Chaminda Colonne was warmly accepted by His Majesty King Preah Norodom Sihamoni to visit Sri Lanka.
Ambassador Chaminda Colonne concluded a Memorandum of understanding in the field of Tourism and an Agreement on Exemption of the Visa Requirement for Holders of the Diplomatic, Service and Official Passports between Sri Lanka and Cambodia with the Minister of Tourism Thong Khun at the Ministry of Tourism and the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Koy Kuong at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, in Phnom Penh respectively.
Further to bilateral meetings with Minister of Tourism Thong Khun and Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Koy Kuong, the Ambassador also had fruitful discussions with Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona and Secretary of State Pich Rithi of the Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia on promoting two countries relations and cooperation in the fields of political, Socio-cultural, trade, economic, investment, tourism etc.
Ambassador paid courtesy calls on Samdech Preah Aphiserei Maha Sangha Rajadhipati Bour Kry, the Great Supreme Patriarch of Dhammayuttika Nikaya Order and Samdech Preah Agga Maha Sangha Rajadhipati Tep Vong, the Great Supreme Patriarch of Mahanikay Sect of Cambodia. While highlighting the meeting as their very first such interaction with a Sri Lankan Ambassador, both Great Supreme Patiarchs conveyed their highest blessings and assured their commitment for consolidating Sri Lanka-Cambodia Buddhist and religious relations.
The ambassador also paid homage to Wat Langka Preh Kosomaram in Phnom Penh, Ven. Kassapa Thero at Vipassana Dhura Buddhist Centre in Khet Kandal, and met some of the Sri Lankan community live and work in Cambodia.
