65th Anniversary of Sri Lanka –Thai Diplomatic Relations Celebrated in Bangkok
Posted on December 17th, 2020
Embassy of Sri Lanka Bangkok
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Thailand together with the institute of Asian Studies of the Chulalongkorn University co-hosted an event at the Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok to mark the 65th Anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The launch of a travelogue written by Mr. Ballobh Krityanavaj, in traditional Thai Niras/Nirat poems titled ‘Sri Lanka Charika Kavya”, was the highlight of the celebrations. The first copy of the book was presented to the Chief Guest, H.E Mr. Ittipol Khunplume, the Minister of Culture of Thailand. The message issued on the Anniversary by H.E Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Hon. Prime Minister and Minister for Culture, Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs of Sri Lanka, was read by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Thailand H.E Mrs. Samantha K. Jayasuriya.
Through the Niiras poems, the author expresses his feelings on his tours around Sri Lankan Buddhist Trails and other places, as well as activities of interest to a Thai traveller. Given the parallels in providing eloquent descriptions on places, nature, people en route to a particular destination, by both the Niras Poems and the Sri Lankan ‘Sandesha Kavya”, the audience was entertained with the recital of Niras poems in Thai language, and poems from the ‘Mayura Sandeshaya’ and the ‘Selalihini Sandeshaya’, demonstrating the Rhythmic variations of the Poems.
Mr. Anil Sirimanna, the Commerce Counsellor of the Embassy facilitated the editorial board in the preparatory process of the book launch, and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) has supported the book, as a tool of promoting Sri Lankan Buddhist Trails among the Thai Public. Copies of the book will accordingly be widely distributed among schools, libraries, Buddhist temples and Travel Agents in Thailand, promoting Sri Lanka Tourism.
Following another successful event of Cultural Diplomacy launched by the Embassy, the participants enjoyed traditional Sri Lankan food and refreshments arranged by the Staff.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Bangkok
15 December 2020
December 18th, 2020 at 10:31 pm
It is a shame we can only talk simply of cultural ties. All Buddhist Countries should have better unity among them with Buddhism as the cornerstone even it is for their survival from the Islamic onslaught.
Our shortsighted foreign policy cannot envisage the dangers looming in the future. It is time all Buddhist countries in South and East Asia – Sri Lanka, Myanmaar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos , Vietnam, China, Korea and Japan. This is a formidable group if only they can come together on a set of common values and goals.