On 30 June 2014, Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, co-chaired the 3rd Thailand-Sri Lanka Political Consultations with Mrs. Kshenuka D. Senewiratne, Secretary for External Affairs of Sri Lanka, at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Bangkok.

This Consultation is an annual, bilateral meeting between the Permanent Secretaries of both countries which is an important mechanism to boost relations in all areas. The agenda covered under this 3rd Consultations included, inter alia, follow-ups of the outcome of the 2nd Political Consultations in 2012 as well as exploring new areas of future cooperation. Some of the salient points of the 3rd Political Consultations are as follows:

1. Both sides were satisfied with the state of close and cordial relations between Thailand and Sri Lanka during the past 59 years, solidly founded on strong cultural ties and common Buddhist values. The year 2015 will also mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Thailand – Sri Lanka diplomatic relations.

2. The Thai Permanent Secretary briefed on the recent political developments in Thailand after one month of the National Council of Peace and Order (NCPO)’s administration. He also explained about the rationale and the implementation of the NCPO’s 3-stage Roadmap aimed at strengthening the democratic institutions in order to culminate in a free and fair election acceptable by all sides. The process of nurturing national reconciliation is also underway. This is expected to be completed within one and a half year from now on. The Thai Permanent Secretary also thanked Sri Lanka side for her past support and understanding and hoped for her continued support in Thailand’s endeavours.

3. Both sides also agreed to increase cooperation on security matters such as piracy at sea, armed smuggling, and illegal migration both bilaterally and in the international frameworks.

4. The Permanent Secretary reiterated Thailand’s continued commitments to Sri Lanka on technical cooperation by providing 260 scholarships under a three-year programme (2014 – 2017) in the fields of rural development, agriculture, fisheries, and tourism management. He also urged
Sri Lanka to take full advantage of this programme.

5. On trade and investment, both sides agreed to encourage more interactions between their respective private sectors to increase trade and investment volumes. The Board of Investment of both countries are encouraged to stimulate exchanges of business delegations. On this note, the head of Thai Delegation informed that the BOI of Thailand and the Federation of Thai Industries will lead Thai business delegations to visit Sri Lanka in August 2014. The head of Sri Lanka Delegation reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s willingness to welcome more Thai investors in Sri Lanka, especially in infrastructure development, agriculture and fishery as well as tourism management.

6. Both side agreed that the 4th Consultations be held in Sri Lanka at the mutually agreed date.