The new website of the Embassy and the Permanent Mission to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission (UNESCAP) of Sri Lanka in Bangkok was launched on 06 December 2023. Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Busadee Santipitaks ceremonially launched the website.
After warmly welcoming Deputy Permanent Secretary Busadee Santipitaks and all distinguished dignitaries on the occasion of the launch of the new website, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative C.A. Chaminda I. Colonne elaborated on how the new website would become a digital gateway to further consolidate and enhance Sri Lanka’s relations with Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR bilaterally and with the UNESCAP multilaterally.
While commending and congratulating the launch of the new website, Deputy Permanent Secretary Busadee Santipitaks recalled the strong and cordial relations between Sri Lanka and Thailand based on Theravada Buddhism and shared beliefs. She expressed Thai government’s satisfaction on the elevation of the bilateral ties including economic relations. She stated that the launch of the new website would increase public awareness and knowledge about Thailand and Sri Lanka.
She acknowledged with appreciation the inclusion of key areas ranging from history, development cooperation, and education to economic cooperation and tourism, etc. The Deputy Secretary emphasized that as the year 2025 will mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Sri Lanka, the website is a timely initiative to enhance mutual understanding and forge closer relations between the two countries and its peoples.
Facilitating Thai nationals to understand and read about Sri Lanka easily in their mother tongue, the new website features a Thai language version. Further, Khemer (Cambodian) and Laotian languages will also be incorporated, for the concurrently accredited countries.
With a view to educating the younger generations on long-standing relations, the history of the Wat Thammaram in Ayutthaya and the National Office of Buddhism have been incorporated into the Mission’s new website.
The bilateral MoUs and Agreements signed with the Governments of Thailand, Cambodia and Laos, the details of the Universities in Thailand, and the scholarship opportunities have also been included for public awareness.
A database of Sri Lankans living in Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos is also featured on the website for the first time.
To promote economic diplomacy, an “e-commerce” platform has been incorporated into the new website. Through a QR code, one can easily obtain updated information on the economy, trade, investment, tourism, etc. in Sri Lanka.
In conclusion, Ambassador Chaminda Colonne expressed her sincere appreciation to Deputy Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs Busadee Santipitaks and all distinguished dignitaries of Thailand, website designer Michael Nordstrom and his team of Lion Digital Marketing Co. Ltd for creating the user-friendly new web site and also to the officials of Sri Lanka Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT), Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka and her staff for their support.
