H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, sent a congratulatory letter on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, 20 November 2020, as follows:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Sri Ayudhya Road,
Bangkok 10400.

10 November B.E. 2563 (2020)

Excellency,

On the auspicious occasion of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on 20 November 2020, I have the honour and great pleasure to extend my sincere felicitations and greetings to you and, through you, to the people of Sri Lanka.

Thailand and Sri Lanka have enjoyed close and cordial ties, deeply rooted in our religious and cultural affinities dating back over eight centuries through Theravada Buddhism. Over the past six decades, our bilateral ties have grown from strength to strength in all levels and areas, particularly people-to-people exchanges. I warmly recall my visit to Sri Lanka in July 2018 during the Official Visit to Sri Lanka of the Prime Minister of Thailand, when our two countries started a new chapter for cooperation on Economic Strategic Partnership and launched the Free Trade Area negotiation. In 2019, our bond was remarkably strengthened by Sri Lanka’s benevolent gesture in gifting the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree sapling as a token of blessing and best wishes for peace and prosperity for Thailand.

Looking forward, I am certain that our collaboration and partnership will be further enhanced in various mutually beneficial areas, both at the bilateral and multilateral levels. There remain opportunities for increasing cooperation in trade and investment, culture and tourism, healthcare, and many others. Thailand will also continue to work closely with Sri Lanka in regional and international frameworks, particularly the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), of which Thailand will assume the Chairmanship in 2021.

Lastly, I would like to express my appreciation to all who have dedicated themselves to promoting the bilateral relations between Thailand and Sri Lanka over the past six decades. I also wish to convey my best wishes to Your Excellency and the people of Sri Lanka for continued happiness, prosperity and success in the years to come.

Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

(Don Pramudwinai)
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
of the Kingdom of Thailand

Honourable
Mr. Dinesh Gunawardena,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka,
COLOMBO.