Ties that endure
Sri Lanka - Thailand celebrate 60 years of diplomatic
relations:
|
The teams being introduced to the Chief Guests |
A friendly Rugby match between the Under 19 National Teams of
Thailand and Sri Lanka was held in Bangkok last month to celebrate the
60th Anniversary of the establishment of Diplomatic Relations between
the two countries. The match was jointly organized by the Sri Lanka
Embassy in Bangkok, the Ministry of Sports and Department of Physical
Education in Thailand.
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Thailand, Kshenuka
Senewiratne and Vice Minister of Sports and Tourism of Thailand,
Professor (Ms) Chavanee Tongroach graced the occasion.
The event was well attended by the Sri Lankan community in Bangkok
and the staff of the Sri Lanka Embassy.
The players demonstrated a spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie,
irrespective of gritty competition resulting in a draw with both teams
scoring 12 points.
On the occasion, the Vice Minister of Sports and Tourism hosted a
dinner, which was attended by Ambassador Senewiratne and the staff of
the Embassy, the Rugby teams and officials of both countries. Professor
Tongroach in her welcome speech alluded to the strong traditional and
historical relations between the two countries and the need to further
strengthen these ties.
Ambassador Senewiratne, observed that the Rugby match launched a new
facet in the bilateral links by forging ties through youth, who were the
national assets of the future. Sri Lanka and the Kingdom of Thailand
have traditionally shared close ties since ancient times, dating back to
the 18th Century, when Buddhist Monks from Thailand (then Siam)
established Upasampada and pioneered the establishment of the Malwatta
and Asgiriya Chapters. |
