Sri Lanka, Thailand discuss boosting trade and religious ties

President Maithripala Sirisena, who is on a state visit to Thailand, held bilateral discussions with Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha Monday at the Government House in Bangkok.

President Sirisena who arrived at the Government House yesterday was welcomed by Prime Minister Chan-o-cha at an official welcoming ceremony. The Sri Lankan President was also accorded a ceremonial tri-services guard of honor.

Following the official ceremony, the heads of the two countries held bilateral discussions on a range of topics including boosting trade ties, tourism, culture, and education cooperation.

According to a Thai government official release, Sri Lankan President’s visit is aimed to promote cooperation in economics, politics, culture and religion, tourism, technical cooperation, as well as regional cooperation (such as The Bay of Bengal Initiatives for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation - BIMSTEC).

Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena and Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha review the honour guard during a welcoming ceremony at Government House in Bangkok, Thailand yesterday – REUTERS

“The official visit of the Sri Lankan President will boost relations between Thailand and Sri Lanka both in bilateral, regional, and multi-lateral levels,” it said.

The President and Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak will meet to discuss trade and investment ties today, the Bangkok Post said.

In his visit, the Sri Lankan President brought the Buddha’s Relics from the historical Mahiyangana Rajamaha Viharaya for exposition which will be open to the public to pay homage at Putthamonthon from 2 - 16 November.

The President and the Prime Minister will co-chair the ceremony for temporary enshrining of the Buddha’s Relics at Putthamonthon Meeting Hall this afternoon.

The President will also present a 3.5 ton carved stone Buddha Statue to the Royal Thai Government, as a gift for this special occasion. Pirith chanting will be conducted by 60 Sri Lankan senior monks who accompanied the President in his official visit to Thailand.

The Thai Prime Minister last night hosted a dinner in honor of the Sri Lankan President and the delegation at the Outer Santi Maitree Building.