President returns after successful visit to Thailand

President Maithripala Sirisena returned to the island yesterday evening after completing a successful four-day State visit to Thailand, President Media Unit said. President Sirisena left for Thailand on November 01 commencing a four-day state visit on the invitation of the Prime Minister of Thailand General Prayut Chan –o- cha to participate in a ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relationship between Sri Lanka and Thailand. The President was warmly received at the Suvarnabhumi Airport of Thailand by the deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Mr. Somkib Jatusri titak along with Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera and staff members of the Embassy. President Sirisena was accorded a Guard of Honour on his arrival at the airport. During his visit, President Sirisena met with the Sri Lankan community in Thailand and he invited Sri Lankan intellectuals living in Thailand to return to Sri Lanka to provide their service to Motherland as freedom and democracy established in the country. He also met with the Prime Minister of Thailand General Prayut Chan-o-cha at the official residence of the Prime Minister on Nov. 1. After the welcome ceremony, the two leaders commenced bilateral talks. The discussions focused on the fields of politics and culture of the two countries. The President inaugurated the exposition of the Sacred Relics from Mahiyangana Rajamaha Viharaya, in the Buddhamanthan Temple in Thailand on Nov. 02. Addressing the Thailand – Sri Lanka Business Forum in Bangkok on November 3, he invited Thai investors and business community to make use of highly liberalized economic policies of Sri Lanka and enhance bi-lateral trade relations. The President pointed out to the Thai business community that the total trade between the two countries has been increasing since 2004 and in 2014 it increased to US$ 516 Million. President Sirisena met the Crown Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand at the Sra Pathum Palace yesterday (4). President Sirisena was warmly welcomed by the Princess at the Palace and said when she visited Sri Lanka she learnt the hospitality of its people and she further said that Sri Lanka is a beautiful country. The President thanked for the invitation extended to him to visit Thailand and expressed his high appreciation over the hospitality shown to him by the Thai Government and its people. President Sirisena extended an invitation to the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to visit Sri Lanka. The cultural and religious