The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clarified the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Suphajee Suthumpun visited Sri Lanka in a private capacity to attend the enshrinement ceremony at the Mihintale temple, following criticism by the United National Party (UNP) over the alleged failure to provide appropriate diplomatic courtesies and security during her visit.
Issuing a clarification, the Director General and Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry, Thushara Rodrigo said the Thai Deputy Prime Minister’s visit was exclusively for participation in the religious event, with no other officials accompanying her in the delegation.
He said the Thai Embassy had requested access to the VIP lounge and other courtesies, and that the Sri Lankan side had granted those requests.
Rodrigo also noted that Suthumpun had undertaken similar visits to Sri Lanka in the past to participate in religious activities in her private capacity.
The clarification follows a statement by the UNP criticising the government over what the party described as inadequate diplomatic courtesies and security arrangements for the Thai Deputy Prime Minister.
In its statement, the UNP said Suthumpun had attended the ceremony to unveil the pinnacle of the Mihindu Maha Seya in Mihintale as the chief guest in her capacity as Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister. The party described the event as an important occasion in Sri Lanka’s Buddhist religious calendar.
The UNP argued that foreign leaders visiting Sri Lanka should receive appropriate diplomatic courtesies and security arrangements, regardless of whether their visits are official or private.
Citing former British Prime Minister David Cameron’s previous private visit to Sri Lanka, the party said special security arrangements had been provided even though he was no longer in office at the time.
The party also highlighted the longstanding relationship between Sri Lanka and Thailand, particularly their historical Buddhist and cultural ties. It called on the Minister of Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs to explain the circumstances surrounding the alleged treatment of the Thai Deputy Prime Minister, noting Thailand’s role in bringing the sacred pinnacle and the _Chuda Manikya_ to Sri Lanka for the religious ceremony.
The UNP characterised the alleged treatment as dismissive and called on the government to clarify the matter.
