Sri Lankan students showcased their exceptional chess skills at the 18th Asian School Chess Championships, held from 1st to 11th December 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand. The event, co-organized by the Thailand Chess Association under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation (ACF) and the International Chess Federation (FIDE), saw participation from 32 countries across Asia.

A 12-member delegation of Sri Lankan automobile component manufacturers successfully concluded a week-long exposure visit to Bangkok from 30th November to 6th December 2024. The visit was jointly organized by the Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Bangkok, the Sri Lanka Export Development Board and the Thai-Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce. Its primary objective was to enhance the delegation’s understanding of Thailand’s advanced automotive sector and to foster meaningful business collaborations between the two countries.

Ambassador of Sri Lanka and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, held a productive meeting with the Secretary General of the National Economic and Social Development Council of Thailand, Danucha Pichayanan on 09th December 2024. The NESDC, as the primary planning and advisory body of the Thai Government, plays a pivotal role in shaping Thailand’s economic and social policies through its five-year National Economic and Social Development Plans. The current plan (2023-2027) emphasizes sustainable development, poverty reduction, income distribution, and strategic economic growth.

In a significant step towards bolstering bilateral relations, Ambassador of Sri Lanka and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, met with the Governor of Bangkok, Chadchart Sittipunt, to discuss areas of collaboration between Sri Lanka and Bangkok.

The Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka paid calls to the Ambassador of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) to Thailand, H.E. Mr. Khamphan Anlavan and the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Cambodia to Thailand, H.E. Hun Saroeun, at their respective embassies in Bangkok. These diplomatic meetings served to strengthen bilateral relations and reaffirm Sri Lanka’s commitment to fostering cooperation with both Lao PDR and Cambodia, both of which are accredited to the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Thailand.

As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen cultural ties and promote artistic collaboration, the Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Bangkok facilitated the participation of Harshi Batik, a Sri Lankan artisan, in a specialized training programme on traditional Thai Batik. The programme was conducted by the esteemed Phaya Batik and Phaya Paint Batik in Thailand, recognized for their expertise in preserving and innovating the timeless art of Batik.

The Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka participated in the vibrant Cross Culture Weekend: South Asia Edition organized by The House on Sathorn at W Bangkok. This dynamic event celebrated the rich and diverse cultural heritage of South Asia, featuring an extraordinary blend of traditional and contemporary elements.

The Eighth South and South-West Asia Forum on Sustainable Development has taken place in New Delhi, India from 11th to 12th November 2024, co-hosted by the NITI Aayog of the Government of India and Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP), in collaboration with the UN Resident Coordinator, with a strong call for renewed commitment, accelerated efforts and innovative solutions to meet development ambitions. The Ambassador & Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka in Bangkok, E.A.S. Wijayanthi Edirisinghe was invited to attend the forum.

The Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Bangkok, in collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Public Broadcasting Service of Thailand (Thai PBS), are producing a documentary on ‘Solosmastana’, featuring the 16 sacred religious sites of Sri Lanka. This initiative aims to strengthen Buddhist religious tourism between the two nations, highlighting shared cultural and spiritual heritage.