Bilateral pacts with Thailand strengthened Lanka’s ties

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

Leader of the House and Irrigation and Water Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva told Parliament on Friday that the bilateral agreements signed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa with Thailand’s Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on his reciprocal visit to Thailand in 2012 had resulted in greater cooperation in the agriculture, fisheries and education sectors.

The Minister who delivered the Vote of Thanks to the Thai Premier’s address to Parliament said these developments are extremely encouraging and would be an enormous source of assistance as Sri Lanka moves forward.

“It is with pleasure that we acknowledge Thailand as a vibrant partner in Sri Lanka’s socio-economic and cultural development led by the Government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa which envisions making our country the Wonder of Asia,” the Minister said.

Minister De Silva recalled with gratitude the cooperation and support extended by Thailand to Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2012 and 2013 having understood the hardships Sri Lanka faced due to terrorism during the past three decades and the ongoing reconciliation.

The cordial relations that existed between Sri Lanka and Thailand for several centuries was further strengthened due to the visit of Thai Premier and her address to the people’s representatives in the August Assembly. The aspirations of the Thai people will be fulfilled and the friendship between the two countries will be further strengthened under the leadership of premier Shinawatra, he said.

The Minister said history refers to the fact that when Buddhism in Sri Lanka was deteriorating, Theravada Buddhism was re-established in the country by the Bhikkhus who arrived from Thailand. It is significant that the Thai Premier’s visit to Sri Lanka coincides with the 260th anniversary of the Siam Nikaya. Sri Lanka commends the determination, political courage and leadership of the Thai Premier which has been enormously beneficial to the people of Thailand.