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Lanka, Thailand sign FTA with facility for visa-free travel
View(s):Thailand and Sri Lanka have agreed in principle to provide visa-free travel arrangements on a reciprocal basis to their citizens under the new Sri Lanka-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (SLTFTA) that was signed yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat.
Addressing a joint media briefing after signing the agreement, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said both parties discussed, in particular, means of promoting Buddhist tourism routes, marine tourism, and people-to-people connectivity. “Our officials will work towards finalising this arrangement early,” he said.
The two leaders attending a media conference. Below: Thai Prime Minister being accorded a grand welcome on his arrival at the BIA yesterday. He was welcomed by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardene. Thai Premier Thavisin also signed the airport guest book.
Stressing that the two sides worked expeditiously to conclude this agreement to highlight the strong interests of both governments, President Wickremesinghe said this was a milestone in both countries’ economic partnership and operationalising the FTA would be a priority.
The President also expressed gratitude to the visiting Prime Minister for accepting the invitation to be the Guest of Honour at today’s 76th-anniversary celebration of Sri Lanka’s independence.
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced in the joint briefing that Thai Airlines International would resume direct flights between Colombo and Bangkok from March 31.
“This resumption of Thai Airways flights will bring us closer than ever,” he said.
“Both sides further discussed having a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on visa extensions, which would be effective in stimulating two-way tourism,” the Thai leader said.
He also said the Thai government had proposed a trilateral collaboration on cruise tourism among Thailand, Sri Lanka and India. “The promotion of cultural Buddhist tourism was a key point in our discussions,” he said.
“I believe that signing the FTA today will significantly boost bilateral trade and investments in the years ahead. With this historical momentum, we will encourage our private sector to explore the potential ways of two-way trade and investments,” Mr. Thavisin said at the briefing.
Also signed were two MoUs related to the bilateral Air Services Agreement for liberalised services and the Gem and Jewellery Research and Training Institute (GJRTI) of Sri Lanka and the Gem and Jewellery Institute of Thailand (GIT) to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
The two leaders agreed to promote investments in sectors such as fisheries, food processing, tourism, hospitality, and green energy.
They also emphasised the need for close defence and security cooperation and the sharing of information and intelligence to curb transnational crimes. President Wickremesinghe also proposed a MoU on defence cooperation, according to a statement issued by the President’s Media Division.
The leaders also expressed their intention to maximise shared values bilaterally and in multilateral forums with Thailand’s hosting of the sixth Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit this year. As a candidate for ASEAN membership in the Human Rights Council, Thailand also expressed hopes for effective collaboration with Sri Lanka.
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, Foreign Affairs Minister Jakkapong Sangmanee and Thai Ambassador Paitoon Mahapannaporn took part in the events. From the Sri Lankan side, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and a delegation of ministers. Also taking part were Chief of Presidential Staff and senior National Security Advisor Sagala Ratnayake, Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake, the Prime Minister’s Secretary, Anura Dissanayake, and Foreign Ministry Secretary Aruni Wijewardena.
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