Sri Lanka and Thailand are expected to sign a bilateral aviation services agreement during the upcoming visit of Thai Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin to Colombo. 

Approval had been granted by the Cabinet of Ministers at their meeting held on 19th June 2018 to sign a bilateral aviation services agreement between Sri Lanka and Thailand. 

Later on, clearance of the Attorney General as well as the concurrence of the Ministry a Foreign Affairs have been granted for the aviation service agreement prepared including the revisions furnished from the Thailand side. 

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers yesterday approved the proposal submitted by Sri Lanka’s Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Services to sign the proposed bilateral Aviation Agreement. 

The Thai Prime Minister will undertake a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka from 03 – 04 February 2024 at the invitation of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, dring which he will participate in the ceremony to mark the 76th Anniversary of the Independence of Sri Lanka as Guest of Honour.

During the visit, the Thai PM is scheduled to have official discussions with President Wickremesinghe, and witness the signing of the historic Sri Lanka – Thailand Free Trade Agreement (SLTFTA), according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Free Trade Agreement is to be signed by Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce of Thailand and Nalin Fernando, Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security of Sri Lanka. The SLTFTA is expected to boost trade and investment ties between the two countries and promote deeper integration with ASEAN economies.