On 22 November 2015, H.E. Mr. Virasakdi Futrakul, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand presided over the Offering Ceremony of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand’s Royal Kathin Robe at Sri Paramananda Raja Maha Viharaya, Galle, Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. There were approximately 100 participants including His Excellency Mr. Nopporn Adchariyavanich, Ambassador of Thailand to Sri Lanka, the Honourable Kalum Senevirathne, Mayor of Galle, as well as Thai and Sri Lankan Buddhists.

In recognition of the long and close bilateral relations between Thailand and Sri Lanka, especially in the area of Buddhism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand has organized the Royal Kathin Offering Ceremony in Sri Lanka for sixteen years up until now.  This year marked the third time that Royal Kathin Ceremony was held at Sri Paramananda Raja Maha Viharaya.  This 191-year-old temple reserves an important place in the long history of Thai - Sri Lankan relations.  In 1897 His Majesty King Chulalongkorn, who is His Majesty the King’s grandfather, paid a visit to the temple and graciously presided over the groundbreaking ceremony to launch the construction of the Chulalongkorn Thammasala Pavilion, where this year’s Royal Kathin Robe Offering Ceremony was arranged.  It is also noteworthy that this year celebrates the Diamond Jubilee (or the 60th Anniversary) of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Sri Lanka.

The Royal Kathin Robe Offering Ceremony at Sri Paramananda Raja Maha Viharaya was successful.  His Majesty the King’s benevolence as the upholder of religions, both in Thailand and abroad, was well recognized.  The Ceremony also deepens the already close ties between Thai and Sri Lankan peoples, the majority of whom practice Theravada Buddhism.  The donation for Sri Paramananda Raja Maha Viharaya, which amounted to THB 331,618, included contributions from His Majesty the King, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, as well as Thai and Sri Lankan Buddhists.

Moreover, on 21 November 2015, Mr. Virasakdi Futrakul, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs and delegates, who presided over the Offering Ceremony of the Royal Kathina Robe in Sri Lanka, visited Sri Dalada Maligawa Temple, Kandy.  They also visited the temple museum displaying the history of the Propagation of Buddhism in Asia,  including the ASEAN region.