At the Second handing over Ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Don Pramudwinai symbolically handed over cash donation of 14,000,000 Thai Baht (SLRS 135,398,986 ) from Royal Thai Government to Sri Lanka Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP C.A. Chaminda I. Colonne on 01st of Nonmember 2022. This financial donation will be channeled through the United Nations to Sri Lanka. Other donations made included medicines and medical supplies valued THB 1,000,000 by Thai Red Cross Society, THB 1,071, 300 by the Thai Chamber of Commerce, eleven freight containers transporting services valued THB 748,376 by Regional Container Line Public Company Limited, THB 436,120 valued 16 tons of sugar and 1000 pieces of blankets by Thai Beverage Public Company, 120 tons rice valued THB 3,724,800 by Rama IX Golden Temple, 96 tons of rice valued THB 1,400,000 by Chak Daeng Temple and 24 tons of rice valued THB 500,000 by Siri Guru Singh Sabha.
Deputy Prime Minister recalled that the two countries have been bound together by shared values and cultural ties, long before the formal establishment of diplomatic relations, 67 years ago. He conveyed that these strong bonds have continuously hosted close cooperation and partnership in various areas particularly in trade and investment, technical cooperation and people to people contacts, all of which have flourished and prosperity substantively in recent decades. On behalf of the Government of Thailand, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs assured that the strong will of Sri Lankan people will lead the country to a right direction and committed to continue assisting Sri Lanka to overcome the daunting challenges during this most difficult time.
Ambassador Colonne highlighted that the Sri Lankan economy is envisaged to record a gradual recovery over the medium term. She added that regional countries may extend assistance to such recovery by providing preferential market access for Sri Lanka’s exports by lowering tariffs, providing/increasing quotas or implementing special procurement schemes, and providing specific Sri Lankan industries with technical assistance. The Ambassador extended her appreciation to His Majesty the King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Government and the People of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for making several thoughtful and generous donations to the people of Sri Lanka, with the assistance of Thai Buddhist temples, Private and other entities.
Previously, during a similar recent handing over symbolic ceremony at the Foreign Ministry presided over by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijavat Isarabhakdi, 1.3 Million THB (SLRS. 12,571,927.28) worth of medical supplies and 700,000 Thai Baht financial support by Thai Parliament were symbolically handed over to the Ambassador along with symbolic donations by the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Government Pharmaceutical Organization, Thai Red Cross Society, Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara Somdet Phra Sangharaja Wat Bavoranives Vihara Foundation under the Royal Patronage, and Wat Phra Ram 9 Karnchanapisek, totaling over 5 million THB. (SLRS. 48,308,003.65).
The Ambassador was thankful for the compassion, optimism and inspiration shown by the Thai people and for positively impacting countless lives in Sri Lanka. She also extended her gratitude to the Ambassador of Thailand in Colombo Poj Harnpol for assisting in the local distribution of these donations in Sri Lanka.
Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka
Bangkok
04 November, 2022
