Sri Lanka and Thailand strengthen defence cooperation

Monday, 20 January 2025 05:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lankan Ambassador and Permanent Representative in Thailand Wijayanthi Edirisinghe met with Thailand Prime Minister’s Office Vice Minister General Nipat Thonglek to discuss strengthening defence cooperation between Sri Lanka and Thailand, with a particular focus on human trafficking issues.

The meeting, held in Bangkok on 9 January, was attended by senior officials from Thailand’s National Intelligence Agency and the National Security Council.

During the discussions, Ambassador Edirisinghe expressed her gratitude to the Royal Thai Government, particularly the Immigration Bureau, the Social Development and Human Security Ministry, and the Border Guard Force, for their unwavering support in facilitating rescue operations and repatriation efforts of Sri Lankan victims of human trafficking through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) process. She emphasised the significance of addressing this pressing regional issue, noting the challenges it poses and its impact on Thailand’s image as a transit hub.

Vice Minister Thonglek acknowledged the gravity of the matter, highlighting that Thai nationals are also victims of such issues, resulting in substantial economic losses for the country. He assured his commitment to providing full support in rescuing Sri Lankan nationals who remain stranded. In addition, the Vice Minister requested comprehensive details of the remaining cases and pledged to bring the matter to the attention of Thailand’s Defence Minister and other law enforcement authorities for immediate action.

Moreover, Vice Minister Thonglek emphasised the importance of expediting the conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation between Sri Lanka and Thailand. He noted that finalising the MoU would be a fitting way to commemorate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The meeting underscored the shared commitment of Sri Lanka and Thailand to strengthening bilateral ties and addressing regional challenges collaboratively.