SL on stronger economic path - Thailand envoy

Atapattu BANDARA

Sri Lanka has achieved a rapid economic growth and is on the path of further strengthening the development process, newly appointed Thailand Ambassador in Sri Lanka Poldea Worachat said when he called on Prime Minister D.M.Jayaratne at Wisumpaya yesterday.

The development Sri Lanka has achieved was not confined to material gains, he said.

"All Buddhist countries in the world should get together and work as a one family."

"Thailand Buddhists have placed a great respect and attachment to Sri Lanka and I will endevour to attract more Thai tourists to the country as pilgrims. I would suggest if the government could introduce a tourist train service covering historical religious cites in Kandy, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, which will help boost the tourism industry," he said.

Highways development would help the country to overcome challenges and it will let the country to be developed soon. He said he would take measures to construct a Thai-Sri Lanka Friendship expressway to strengthen the bonds between the two countries.

Warahat said that the decades long traditional friendship maintained by the two countries have gone beyond limits and expanded on a wider spectrum.

Prime Minister D.M.Jayaratne highlighted the support offered by Thailand to Sri Lanka concerning certain international matters. The cultural, social and economic bonds between the two countries have strongly established and have been ensured by the foreign policy extended by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Thailand made an immense contribution to Buddhist revival in the country. The support extended during the 2600 Sambuddatwa Jayanthi celebrations was significant, he said.

When certain countries which violate human rights interfere internal matters of the country, Thailand was in a straight and open policy to support Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister said.

Secretary to the Prime Minister S. Amarasekara and adviser Mahinda Bandusena were also present.