Buddhism has strengthened Thai-lanka ties: Thai envoy
Thailand Ambassador Poldej Worachat said he would consider both Sri Lanka and Thailand as one family due to close cultural relationships between them.
Mr. Worachat said the two countries had maintained a close relationship throughout history because Therawada Buddhism has enlightened the lives of both countries.
The Ambassador made this remark participating at a prize giving ceremony to Sri Lankan students who won the Royal Thai Embassy’s painting competition to mark the 260th anniversary of the establishment of Siam Nikaya in Sri Lanka. The event was held at the residence of the Thai Ambassador with the participation of Prof. J.B. Dissanayaka the former Sri Lanka Ambassador to Thailand, Prof. Sarath Chandrajee-
Mr. Worachat said the two countries had maintained a close relationship throughout history
wa and Professor Daya Edirisinghe who were also members of the panel of the judges of the painting competition.
Prof. J.B. Dissanayaka said the Thai monk Upali visited Kandy in 1753 during the reign of King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe and performed Upasampada for a group of Kandyan monks. Prof. Dissanayake requested the children who participated in the event to follow the teachings of Buddha while taking part in extracurricular activities.
Ishan Udayanga Wimaladharma of Mawathagama Madya Maha Vidyalaya in Kurunegala, A.M.K.U.I.B. Abeyasinghe of Maratugoda School in Maratugoda, Sandavi Kiyara De Silva of Musaeus College in Colombo, Chatuka Sachintha Jayasinghe of Dharmaraja College in Kandy, Virada Gimanthi Ranwala of Visakha Vi- dyalaya in Colombo and Indumini Yashasvi Gunasekera of B/Bandarawela School in Bandarawela were the winners of the painting competition who received prizes from the Royal Thai Embassy.