On 19 January 2017, His Excellency Mr. Nopporn Adchariyavanich, Ambassador of Thailand to Sri Lanka, paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Mr. Maithripala Sirisena, President of Sri Lanka, to bid farewell upon the completion of his tour of duty in Sri Lanka, and will soon assume the new post in Helsingki as the Ambassador of Thailand to Finland.

President Sirisena congratulated Ambassador Nopporn upon his new assignment in Finland, and expressed his appreciation for an active and efficient role of Ambassador Nopporn in enhancing the relations between Thailand and Sri Lanka. President Sirisena reiterated that Sri Lanka would continue to find new opportunities to expand cooperation with Thailand in various areas. In addition, President Sirisena expressed his concern over the flood situation in the Southern part of Thailand, and hoped that the problem would subside soon.

Ambassador Nopporn expressed his appreciation to President Sirisena for his concern over the flood situation, and stated that the Government of Thailand has tried to solve the problem as soon as possible. Moreover, Ambassador Nopporn gave a briefing on the progress of cooperation between Thailand and Sri Lanka in various aspects since the official visit of President Sirisena to Thailand in November 2015, in particular, the trade and investment between the two countries, which has tremendously increased. In 2016, Thailand’s investment volume in Sri Lanka has increased from 70 million US dollars to more than 700 million US dollars. The progress in economic cooperation is in line with President Sirisena’s remarks, “the new journey in the Thailand-Sri Lanka relations”, which were addressed at the meeting with the Prime Minister of Thailand in 2015.

Lastly, President Sirisena also expressed his gratitude to the Government of Thailand for the warm hospitality extended to him during the visit to Thailand in October 2016 to pay last respect to the body of His Majesty late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.