Staffs from Royal Thai Embassy, Colombo and Thai Airways International in Sri Lanka attended Kathin Robe Offering Ceremonies at Sri Paramananda Raja Maha Vihara and Gangarama Purana Viharaya in Galle on 3 November and 17 November 2013, respectively.

     Both Sri Paramananda Raja Maha Vihara and Gangarama Purana Viharaya have the historical significance the bilateral relations between Thailand and Sri Lanka. In 1897, King Chulalongkorn of Thailand paid a visit to Sri Lanka, on his way to Europe. While in Sri Lanka, he visited a number of temples, including the abovementioned temples on 19 April 1897.He laid a foundation stone for the construction of Chulalongkorn Memorial Hall at Sri Paramananda Raja Maha Vihara while, after renovations, now remains in good condition. Also, a stone pillar was erected at Gangarama Viharaya to commemorate the visit.

     In addition, the team also visited a Thai male elephant named “Raja” at Kande Vihara. The elephant is one of the two elephant given to the Government of Sri Lanka by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit in 2001. Upon the request from Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunga, the Sri Lankan President at the period, Her Mejesty the Queen graciously presented two male elephants, Raja and Kandula, to Sri Lanka for the annual Esala perahera in Kandy. Presently, Raja is taken care by Kande Vihara while Kandula lives in Ingiriya.