Ambassador Wijayanthi Edirisinghe met with Thai Vice Minister General Nipat Thonglek in Bangkok on January 9, 2024, to discuss enhancing defence cooperation, particularly addressing human trafficking. Senior officials from Thailand’s National Intelligence Agency and National Security Council were also present.
Ambassador Edirisinghe expressed gratitude to Thai authorities, especially the Immigration Bureau, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, and the Border Guard Force, for their support in rescuing and repatriating Sri Lankan human trafficking victims through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). She emphasized the challenges trafficking poses and its impact on Thailand’s role as a transit hub.
General Thonglek recognized the seriousness of the issue, noting its economic consequences and its impact on Thai nationals. He assured full support in rescuing stranded Sri Lankan nationals, requested detailed case information, and committed to raising the matter with Thailand’s Minister of Defence and other law enforcement agencies.
Both parties highlighted the importance of finalizing the Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation, aiming for its conclusion to commemorate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Thailand.
The meeting reaffirmed the mutual commitment of Sri Lanka and Thailand to strengthening bilateral relations and addressing regional challenges together.
