The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Thailand and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (UNESCAP), C.A. Chaminda I Colonne presented Letters of Credence to the President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Thongloun Sisoulith, at the National Assembly, at Vientiane, as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sri Lanka to Lao PDR on 10 November, 2022.
Fourteen newly appointed Ambassadors from the Mexico, Qatar, Italy, Algeria, Israel, Norway, Maldives, Spain, Iran, Luxembourg, Bahrain, Belgium, Venezuela, Austria with Ambassador Chaminda Colonne, who are concurrently accredited either from Bangkok or Hanoi also presented their Letters of Credence to President Sisoulith.
After warmly welcoming and congratulating the newly appointed Ambassadors, President Sisoulith extended warm best wishes to all Heads of State, thanked for all support given to Lao PDR, outlined his country’s achievements in Sustainable Development Goals and conveyed hope that newly appointed Ambassadors would further strengthen relations, friendship and cooperation with Lao.
Ambassador Colonne conveyed warm greetings from President Ranil Wickramasinghe of Sri Lanka to President Sisoulith and assured to consolidate relations with the Lao PDR, based on Buddhist religious values. She also extended an invitation to President Sisoulith to visit Sri Lanka. President Sisoulith extended sincere best wishes to the President Ranil Wickramesinghe and recalled his visit to Sri Lanka in the past.
Ambassador Colonne also had fruitful bilateral discussions with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Manothong Vongxay and the Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Phosy Keomanivong on promoting relations and cooperation between the two countries in the fields of political, socio-cultural, trade, economic, investment, tourism etc. and enhancing people to people contacts.
Ambassador also paid courtesy calls on Director General of Protocol Amphay Kindavong, and the Director General of Asia Pacific and Africa Department, Viroth Sundara, of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lao PDR, and had discussions with the President of Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Xaybandith Rasphone, Director General of Lao Front for National Development, Bounthavy Phonethasine, and the President of the Lao Association of Travel Agents Somphong Deviengxay. Sri Lanka Honorary Consul in Lao PDR Manilay Thiphalansy facilitated the Ambassador during her stay in Vientiane.
Ambassador Colonne paid homage to President of Central Buddhist Fellowship Organization Most Venerable MahaBounma Simmaphome, Chief Monk of the Sisaket temple Venerable Mahavet Masenai, Vice President of Central Buddhist Fellowship Organization and Chief Monk of the Ongtu temple of Lao Most Venerable Phuangphaserd Phoumavong. They conveyed their highest blessings to the newly appointed Ambassador and assured their commitment to consolidate Sri Lanka-Lao Buddhist and religious relations. The Ambassador also met members of the Sri Lankan community who live and work in Lao PDR at the Sri Lanka Honorary Consulate in Vientiane.
Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka
Bangkok
15 November, 2022
