By: Staff Writer
March 30, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka and Thailand successfully concluded the 6th round of bilateral political consultations on March 25 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok. The meeting was co-chaired by Sri Lanka’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, Aruni Ranaraja, alongside Thailand’s Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Eksiri Pintaruchi.
Both delegations shared updates on key national developments, with Sri Lanka highlighting the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative introduced by the President, along with advancements in digital infrastructure and the digital economy. The meeting provided an important platform to review existing bilateral relations, explore new areas of cooperation, and identify ways to strengthen ties.
Discussions covered a wide range of areas, including political, economic, defense, cultural, and tourism-related collaborations. Secretary Ranaraja emphasized Sri Lanka’s favorable environment for Thai investments, underscoring the increasing economic partnership between the two nations.
Both sides explored opportunities to enhance trade and investment, focusing on the Sri Lanka–Thailand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and priority sectors such as infrastructure, agro-industry, fisheries, gems and jewelry, tourism, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), financial services, packaging, and ICT.
Regional and global issues of mutual interest were also addressed, with both nations reaffirming their commitment to collaboration through frameworks such as IORA, BIMSTEC, ASEAN, RCEP, and ACD. Secretary Ranaraja congratulated Thailand on its leadership in hosting the upcoming BIMSTEC Summit in April 2025 and its associated events, including the BIMSTEC Young GEN Forum.
The year 2024 marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Thailand. To commemorate this milestone, both countries plan to organize a series of knowledge-sharing seminars and events, including a logo competition and a commemorative post-box design initiative. The winners of the logo competition were recognized in an award ceremony held alongside the consultations.
Key outcomes of the discussions included agreements to revive the Cultural Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and sign a Tourism Cooperation MoU. The next round of Bilateral Political Consultations will be hosted by Sri Lanka at a mutually agreed date.
The Thai delegation included senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the Sri Lankan delegation comprised Ambassador Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, Director (South East Asia and Central Asia) Thilini Ihalage, Acting Director of Commerce Chandima Kiriwandala, and other diplomatic representatives.
On the sidelines of the consultations, Secretary Ranaraja met with Thailand’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Lalivan Karnchanachari, to discuss ways to enhance cultural diplomacy and deepen historical ties rooted in Theravāda Buddhism.
The 6th Round of Bilateral Political Consultations reinforced the enduring partnership between Sri Lanka and Thailand, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening diplomatic, economic, and cultural cooperation.
