On February 3-4, 2024, H.E. Mr. Jakkapong Sangmanee, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, accompanied the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand ilduring the official visit to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka as Guest of Honour on the occasion of the Independence Day of Sri Lanka, by the invitation of the President of Sri Lanka. The Prime Minister also witnessed the signing of the Thailand - Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement which is the first FTA under this administration and Thailand’s fifteenth FTA.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs also joined the Thai delegation led by Prime Minister, the in a bilateral discussion with the President of Sri Lanka. Both countries emphasised the close relations based on the long-standing Buddhist relations. The leaders expressed the willingness to increase cooperation in various areas, particularly trade and investment, after the effective of the FTA. On this note, Thailand and Sri Lanka agreed to discuss having a visa-free arrangement for ordinary passport holders which will help stimulate people-to-people ties. Both sides also discussed the logistics and connectivity between Thailand’s Landbridge and Sri Lanka’s Colombo Port as well as the potential for investment in various sectors such as fisheries and renewable energy. Moreover, Thailand and Sri Lanka agreed to further strengthen tourism cooperation, especially trilateral cruise tourism between India, Sri Lanka and Thailand, as well as Buddhist tourism. Both sides agreed to engage further in development cooperation, especially in agricultural and fishery sectors. They also discussed security and defense cooperation and ways to foster closer collaboration on multilateral fora such as ASEAN, ARF, BIMSTEC and IORA, including cooperation on elephant welfare.

After the meeting, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs attended the Sri Lanka – Thailand Business Networking, the first business event after the signing of FTA. The event was attended by over 140 business representatives from both sides. In his remarks at the event, the Prime Minister emphasised on the investment opportunities after the FTA in various sectors, particularly fishery, electrical appliances, rubber, gems, and textiles.

During the visit, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, as a representative of the Royal Thai Government, signed the new Air Services Agreement between Thailand and Sri Lanka. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand and the Gem and Jewellery Research and Training Institute of Sri Lanka was also signed during the Prime Minister’s visit.

This official visit is another significant achievement for Thailand and Sri Lanka relations, reiterating our shared historical and cultural linkages. The signing of the FTA reflects both sides’ determination to advance economic relations in all aspects.