On 18November 2015 at 17.30 hours, H.E.Dr. Wissanu Krea-ngam, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand paid a courtesy call on H.E.Mr. Maithripala Sirisena, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, with the presence of H.E.Dr.Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Minister of Justice and Buddasasana, H.E. Mrs. Kshenuka Seneviratne, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Thailand, H.E. Mr. Nopporn Adchariyavanich, Ambassador of Thailand to Sri Lanka and   Mr. Manopchai Vongpakdi, Director-General of the Department of South Asia, Middle East and African Affairs.

              

            President Sirisena mentioned that Thailand and Sri Lanka have had close relations in Buddhism for centuries. Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu said that he led the Thai delegation to bring the Sacred Buddha Relic from Mahiyangana, which President Sirisena brought to Thailand for the Thai people to pay respect at Buddhamonthon, back to Kandy. 

 

            In Kandy, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu also worshipped the Sacred Tooth Relic and paid respect to the Most Venerable Tibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Mahanayake Thero – Malwatta Chapter and the Most Venerable Galagama Sri Aththadassi Mahanayake Thero – Asgiriya Chapter of Siam Nikaya. 

 

            Deputy Prime MinisterWissanu said that the close relationship in Buddhism between two countries has been a strong foundation for cooperationin various fields.General Prayuth Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand stated that the official visit to Thailand of President Sirisena on 1-4 November 2015 was very successful and instructed Thai authorities concernedto set up a working group to follow up the outcome of the President’s visit, particularly on pharmaceutical, agriculture, fisheries and Buddhism tourism.

 

            In this occasion, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu presenteda commemorative book on the 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic relations between Thailand and Sri Lanka, published by the Royal Thai Embassyin Colombo,to President Sirisena.