On 16 September 2012 H.E. Mr. Poldej Worachat, Ambassador of Thailand to Sri Lanka, led the Thai community in Sri Lanka to carry out a project to renovate Gunananda Vidhayalaya which is a primary school in Colombo with close historical links with Thailand as it was founded by H. H. Prince Prisdang, who ordained as a Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka as Venerable Jinavaransa and became the chief incumbent of Dipaduttamarama Purama Thai Raja Maha Viharaya Temple during 1905-1910.

Despite the budget’s limitation, the project was able to be executed successfully by the kind and generous donation of Thai people, both in Thailand and Sri Lanka. Under this project, the school’s fence and wall were repaired. Partitions of classrooms were set up. The school’s stage was fixed and strengthened. School’s electrical appliances were changed. New electric fans were installed. New bathrooms were built. Staircases leading to the school’s main building were renovated. The school’s building as well as tables and chairs were painted.

On that day, Most Ven Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Thero, chief incumbent of Dipaduttamarama Purama Thai Raja Maha Viharaya Temple, presented Ambassador Poldej Worachat and the Thai community with a very warm welcome. About 100 Thais and Sri Lankans were present on the day. School Bags were given to students with exceptional school performance. All the students received pencil cases and stationary. They also enjoyed Thai food specially prepared for them during the lunch time. Moreover, there was also an alms-offering for 21 Thai and Sri Lankan Monks and Bhikkhunis who participated in the event.

The project greatly helped strengthen the Thai community in Sri Lanka who were united voluntarily to work alongside one another for a good cause and for the betterment of the society, which has always been one of the priories of the Royal Thai Embassy in Colombo.