February 4th marks the Independence Day of Sri Lanka. Expat Life sat down with H.E. Mrs. C.A. Chaminda I. Colonne, the new Sri Lankan Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand. Ambassador Chaminda arrived to Thailand directly from Sri Lanka last February. Her overseas postings have included Moscow, New Delhi and Berlin.
Good morning Ambassador thank you for finding time to talk to us today. May I start with your background? Which city were you born and brought up?
I was born and brought up in Colombo.
At which age did you decide you wanted to become a diplomat?
Let me to answer your question like this. I am a graduate from the Faculty of Science of the University of Colombo in Sri Lanka, and I specialised in Zoology and was an academic staff member at the Faculty of Zoology in the same university, before joining the Foreign Service. Since my childhood, I have loved animals and nature, and always wanted to conserve and protect them for future generations.
Similarly, I always wanted to preserve Sri Lanka’s golden history, heritage, and archeological sites for future generations and to educate the world. We should be proud to be a part of a few countries that enjoy such a rich civilisation with more than 5,000 years of history, based on rich Buddhist cultural values.
You must be aware that science diplomacy is becoming an important tool and mechanism that allows states to more effectively promote and secure their foreign policy agenda. The U.S, China, France and the UK are among the frontrunners who use modern science diplomacy.
I joined the Foreign Service because it is one way to play an important role in addressing national and global challenges, in building bridges between communities, societies, and nations. Closer interactions between science and diplomacy could elevate the role of science in foreign policy to address national and global challenges. I feel the skills and knowledge I got through my science education could be very helpful to reach Sri Lanka’s foreign policy objectives.
How do you see Thailand today, in ASEAN, and in a wider context?
ASEAN is progressing in the regional cooperation owing to the reasons like; using informal diplomacy to mitigate their bilateral disputes. The word “association‟ was used to separate it from an “organisation” and it carries a flexible style and informal approaches; ASEAN is observed as an ideal organisation for regional peace, stability, and prosperity; ASEAN member states formulate policies for ensuring its regional cooperation rather than state centric benefits.
In order to face the challenges of global pandemic, uncertainty of world’s economy, technology disruption, the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy model introduced by the Government of Thailand, planned to be implemented from 2021-2026, is very impressive. It will enhance Thailand’s capacity in science, technology and innovation to boost competitiveness of players across farm, food, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, bioenergy, biomaterials, tourism and the creative economy sectors.
Similarly, the Sri Lanka Government also plans to achieve definite growth in all three sectors, agriculture, industry and services and to become one of the fastest growing countries in the region in the next few years. As a country having very limited natural resources and without producing oil, gas or coal, we have chosen foreign investment to boost the export industry, create new jobs and support local businesses.
Our two countries cooperate with each other in the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) as regional cooperation is much more important in overcoming the contemporary socio-economic challenges and achieving common Sustainable Development Goals. As current chair, Sri Lanka will hand over the Chairmanship to Thailand in the forthcoming 5th BIMSTEC Summit scheduled to be held next month in Sri Lanka. I firmly believe that Thailand will carry forward the progress so far made by BIMSTEC to achieve regional development goals.
Do you see any similarities between your country and Thailand?
Thai-Sri Lankan relationship based on Theravada Buddhist Tradition dates back to centuries. Sri Lanka introduced Theravada Buddhist Tradition to Thailand and established a chapter called �?Lankawamsa’; which is known as �?Lankawong’ in Thailand. Similarly, when Buddhism was eroded in Sri Lanka during the colonial era, it was Most Venerable Pra Upali Thero who visited Sri Lanka and established the �?Siam’ Chapter. Since then, there have been many cultural and religious exchanges between two countries. There are many similarities between two cultures, social values and traditions.
We both celebrate or mark the similar events in Buddhist calendar. For example commemorating the birth, enlightenment and parinirbbana of Lord Buddha. Sri Lanka celebrates �?Vesak’ and Thailand celebrates the same as �?Visaka Puja’.
Sri Lanka also celebrates Sinhala and Tamil New Year on 13-14th April every year and similarly Thai people celebrate �?Songkran Festival’ during the same period. This is the happiest time in the year, especially for kids in both countries. I see many similarities in our food, languages, greetings, clothing, dress, lifestyles and food habits, etc.
How do you look upon your work here? How does an average day look like?
Due to concurrent accreditation, in addition to the bilateral relations with the Kingdom of Thailand, I look after our bilateral interests with Cambodia, Laos and multilateral interests at UNESCAP, as Sri Lanka’s representative. Therefore, my day-to-day workload is high.
After presentation of Letters of Credence on 4th November 2021 to His Majesty the King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, King of the Kingdom of Thailand, I have now started paying my courtesy calls on Honourable Ministers and senior officials of the government and other agencies. During these courtesy calls we discuss on ways and means on enhancing our bilateral relations.
Have you set some goals you really would like to fulfill before you leave Thailand?
Under the national policy framework �?Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’, and the twenty Foreign Policy Guidelines of the government led by His Excellency the President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, priorities have been set. Sri Lanka is to become an investment friendly country with a high level of doing business to attract sustainable foreign direct investment.
I wish to recall with great honour the acceptance of my invitation extended to the Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, for Thai investors to invest in the Colombo City Project and other investment opportunities in Sri Lanka, during my very first courtesy call on 6th September 2021.
As of today, we have vaccinated about 92% of our targeted population and we are now giving the booster dose. Due to our successful vaccination drive, Sri Lanka is now considered as a �?safe destination to travel’. Our tourist numbers are increasing and our aim is to receive 200,000 tourists per month, which is currently at 50,000.
Sri Lanka is also a popular bio diversity hot spot and destination for Theravada Buddhism and adventure tourism. It has 8 UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Lonely Planet, CNN, BBC, Travel Lemming and Bloomberg have ranked Sri Lanka as �?one of the world’s best tourist destinations’. The Global Wellness Institute ranked Sri Lanka at �?the top of the world’s Wellness Tourism Destination for 2021’ and Sri Lanka is �?one of the top 25 islands’ voted by readers of Travel & Leisure magazine for 2021. Temple of Tooth Relic in Kandy is one of the lifetime travel destination for Thai citizens. Our aim is to promote spiritual tourism between our two countries.
The national policy framework; �?Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’ also highlights friendly and non-aligned foreign policy and importance of developing strong trade relationship with Asian countries. Considering the longstanding traditional ties with Asia, South East Asia, East Asia, the government has given due prominence in it’s foreign policy to this region and has established a separate Ministry called the ‘State Ministry of Regional Cooperation’ under the Foreign Ministry for vigorous cooperation.
The One Tambon One Product (OTOP) programme in Thailand, has been introduced to Sri Lanka as One Village One Product (OVOP) based on sufficiency, economy, philosophy. Under the Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement between Sri Lanka and Thailand, ten areas namely; investment, infrastructure, gems and jewellery, agro industries, fisheries, tourism, SMEs, financial cooperation, packaging and IT have been focused on to develop.
In 2013, Kandy in Sri Lanka and Ayutthaya in Thailand have been declared as �?sister cities’. Beyond its religious and cultural relations, we are planning to implement a comprehensive trade and economic development programme between the two cities in future. To enhance people-to-people relations, we have proposed to establish Thai language centre in Sri Lanka and Sinhala language centre in Thailand.
Have you managed to travel in Thailand yet?
During my visit to National Office of Buddhism, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom, I paid homage to Phra Si Sakkaya Thotsaphala Yan Prathan Phutthamonthon Suthat, the Principal Buddha Statue of Buddhamonthon and Luang Pho Wat Rai Khing statue, Phra Thepsasanaphiban, the Ecclesiastical Regional Governor of Region 14 and the Abbot of Rai Khing at the Royal Temple in Nakhon Pathom Province. I also have been Wat Wajirathammarama where Sri Maha Bodhi Sapling was enshrined in Ayutthaya province.
I have also later jointly attended with the Governor of Nakhon Pathom Province Hon. Surasak Charoensirichot, at the enshrinement ceremony of the Buddha’s relics from Malwatta Maha Viharaya of Sri Lanka, Phra Sri Sakaya Tossapalayana statue, Sukhothai Buddha image in pacifying the ocean posture onto the directional arches of Phra Upali Maha Mongkon Stupa and the ceremony of casting the statue of Luang Pho Wat Rai Khing on the occasion of 99th Anniversary of Most Venerable Phra Upali Kunupamachan, (Panya Inthapanyamahathera), former Abbot of Wat Rai Khing, the Royal Temple.
I also participated at the Katina Ceremony last year, 2021 led by Most Venerable Abbot Athikaran Prasart Khemapunyo at Wat Dhammarama, Ayutthaya, historical temple that Late Most Venerable Pra Upali Maha Thera stayed and started journey to Sri Lanka, on King Boromakot’s order and King Kirti Sri Raja Singha’ s request to ordain people and promote Buddhism in Sri Lanka in 1753.
When you have a day off, what do you prefer to do? A hobbies or pastimes?
Prefer to enjoy wild life; birdwatching, visiting sanctuaries, historical religious sites and listening music are my favourites.
How many of your countryfolk are living in Thailand? When and why did Thailand become a desirable destination for your people?
Approximately 100. Similar socio-cultural-religious values in Thailand attract the Sri Lankans. Thailand is a preferred education, shopping, leisure and recreation destination among Sri Lankans.
Does your country and Thailand have an exchange programme for students?
Sri Lanka Ambassador has been represented on the Board of Trustees of Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) since 1977 and enjoys longstanding partnerships and collaborations between AIT and Higher Education Institutes in Sri Lanka. As the newly elected Co-chairperson of the AIT Board Student Relations Committee of the AIT, I wish to enhance Student relations with the AIT management in the coming years.
Initiatives have been made to precede a MoU between AIT, Thailand and State Ministry of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovations of Sri Lanka on possible partnerships in skill development sector in Sri Lanka and a MoU on Capacity Building PhD Partnership Programme between the AIT, Thailand and UGC, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy (SIBA) is affiliated with Maha Chulalongkorn Rajavidyalaya University and we look forward to enhancing more collaboration in future to promote Dhamma education.
There are Sri Lankan students pursuing their higher studies at the Universities of Chulalongkorn, Chulabhorn,
Any fun moment from Thailand that you’d like to tell us about?
Frankly not. Due to COVID-19 pandemic our movements and engagements are limited.
Do you regularly meet up with your community?
You must be aware that COVID-19 pandemic restricts our routine regular interactions. However, meetings are held on virtually and in person time to time.
