เมื่อวันจันทร์ที่ผ่านมา (14 พค. 2555) ผมได้ร่วมกับสมาคมศรีลังกา-ไทย แถลงข่าวการประกวดเรียงความเกี่ยวกับ 260 ปีสยามวงศ์ สื่อต่างๆ ในโคลัมโบจึงเริ่มลงข่าวเรื่องนี้บ้างแล้ว ขอนำข่าวหนึ่งมาให้อ่านกันครับ

Essay contest to mark 260th anniversary of Siam Nikaya in Sri Lanka

Sandasen Marasinghe

Ambassador of the Kingdom ofThailand to Sri Lanka Poldej Worachat saidThailand and Sri Lankahad close ties from ancient times and called for the strengthening of these ties.

He made this observation yesterday at a press conference at the ambassador's residence in Colombo on an essay competition being conducted to commemorate the 260th anniversary of the establishment of the Siam Nikaya inSri Lanka.

He said during the period of King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe, when Buddhism was in a stage of decline, the king requested help from Thailand to to restore Buddhism to its former glory which was fulfilled. He added that the two countries maintained such close over a long period.

The ambassador further said 260 years ago King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe requested the help from King Borommakot ofAyutthaya.. As a result,the King of Ayutthaya sent a party of monks led by Ven Upali Maha Thera of Dhammaram Temple in Ayutthaya to Sri Lanka. The Siamese monks reached the port of Trincomalee in 1753 and traveled further toKandy.

He stated that as 2013 marks the occasion of the 260th anniversary of the establishment of Siam Nikaya in Sri Lanka, the Royal Thai Embassy and Sri Lanka-Thailand Society is organizing an essay competition. He added that the organizers request all eligible Sri

Lankans to submit their essays under the title of "Contribution of Venerable Upali Maha Thera ofAyutthayain the revival of Buddhism inSri Lanka".

The essay competition will be conducted in two age categories. The first category between 10 - 18 years (1000 - 1500 words) and the other being the category of19 years and above (2000 - 2500 words). The closing date for submission is June 30, 2012. Written submissions can be sent to the Royal Thai Embassy by post. Electronic submission can also be done by sending your file to the email:[email protected] 
 

The first three places in the 10 - 18 years category will be awarded cash prizes of Rs. 20,000.-, Rs. 10,000.- and Rs. 5,000 each and

certificates. The first three places in the 19 years and above category will be awarded cash prizes of Rs. 30,000.-, Rs. 15,000.- and Rs. 7,500 each and certificates.

หน่วยงานใดของไทยจะทำโครงการแบบนี้บ้างก็ยินดีนะครับ จะได้ส่งเสริมพร้อมกันทั้งสองประเทศ