{"id":27,"date":"2025-12-24T15:18:17","date_gmt":"2025-12-24T15:18:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/slthai.org\/about\/"},"modified":"2026-01-12T16:08:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T16:08:24","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/slthai.org\/th\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Story"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Sri Lanka\u2013Thailand Society (SLTS) is a community-driven organization established in 1997 by Mr Gemunu Gunatilleke to nurture friendship, understanding, and goodwill between the peoples of Sri Lanka and Thailand. Rooted in shared cultural values and mutual respect, the Society brings together individuals, institutions, and communities to celebrate heritage, encourage dialogue, and strengthen people-to-people connections that transcend borders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mr Gemunu Gunatilleke was the Managing Partner of Ernst & Young Sri Lanka. He was a Chartered accountant by profession and received professional training at the Cranfield Institute of Management in U.K and was in professional practice for over 40 years. He was appointed to the boards of several banks and has also chaired the audit cub committee of DFCC bank among others. He was a director of several companies dealing with secretarial services, Management Consultancy, Information Technology and Internal Audit Services. He was also a graduate of Science from the university of Ceylon and was a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka. He was also a dedicated Rotarian and a Past District Governor of Rotary International District 322 Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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🎯
Mission<\/strong>

To strengthen friendship between Sri Lanka and Thailand through cultural exchange, community engagement, and meaningful collaboration.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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✨
Vision<\/strong>

A future where the peoples of Sri Lanka and Thailand are connected through mutual respect, shared heritage, and lasting goodwill.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Our Journey Through the Years<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Key milestones that shaped the Sri Lanka\u2013Thailand Society<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1997<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Establishment of SLTS<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Sri Lanka\u2013Thailand Society (SLTS) was founded by Mr. Gemunu Gunatilleke<\/strong> with the vision of strengthening cultural understanding and friendship between Sri Lanka and Thailand through people-to-people engagement.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2005<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Leadership Continuity<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Following the passing of the founder, leadership of the Society was carried forward by his wife, Mrs. Nirmalie Gunatilleke<\/strong>, who assumed the role of President and continued to uphold the founding values and mission of SLTS.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2024<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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New Chapter of Leadership<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In 2024, Mr. Nihal Mallikaaratchi<\/strong> was appointed President of SLTS, guiding the Society into a new phase of growth while maintaining its strong cultural and diplomatic foundations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2025<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Continued Progress<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In 2025, Deshabandu K. Jayakumar<\/strong> assumed the presidency, continuing the Society\u2019s journey of fostering friendship, cultural exchange, and cooperation between Sri Lanka and Thailand.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Message from the Ambassador of Thailand to Sri Lanka<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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On behalf of the Royal Thai Embassy in Colombo, I extend my warm wishes to the Sri Lanka\u2013Thailand Society on the occasion of its continued service in strengthening the friendship between our two nations. Sri Lanka and Thailand share a deep and timeless bond, rooted in shared cultural values, religious heritage, and people-to-people connections that long predate formal diplomatic relations. Buddhism has played a significant role in shaping this enduring relationship. Since my arrival in Sri Lanka, I have witnessed with great appreciation the active role played by the Sri Lanka\u2013Thailand Society in promoting cultural exchange, social service, and mutual understanding. The Society\u2019s initiatives \u2014 including lectures, cultural events, community outreach, and educational programs \u2014 meaningfully contribute to bringing our peoples closer together. The Royal Thai Embassy remains committed to supporting the Society in its efforts, and I look forward to further strengthening our close and cordial relations in the years ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His Excellency
Paitoon Mahapannaporn
Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to Sri Lanka<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Sri Lanka \u2013 Thailand Ambassadors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Honouring the diplomats who strengthened bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Thailand<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ambassadors of Sri Lanka Accredited to Thailand<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Mrs. Manel Abeyasekera
Mr. D.G.I.G. Seneviratne
Mr. R. Premaratne
Mr. H.C. Gunawardena
General Cecil Waidyaratna
Dr. (Mrs.) Sarala Fernando
Mr. K. Amunugama
Mr. H.M.G.H. Palihakkara
Mr. J.D.A. Wijewardena
Prof. J.B. Dissanayake
General Shantha Kottegoda
Mrs. Shenuka Seneviratne
Mrs. Samantha K. Jayasuriya
Mrs. C.I. Colonine
Mrs. E.A. Wijayanthi Edirisinghe<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Ambassadors of Thailand Accredited to Sri Lanka<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Miss Ampha Bhadranawik
Mr. Anat Suwana Wihok
Mrs. Khajorn Sobhon
Mr. Apinan Pavanarit
Mr. Narin Pontham
Mr. Samroeng Laksanasut
Mr. Thakur Phanit
Mr. Jern Tiyavanond
Mr. Karn Chirandond
Mr. Satchaphand Atthakor
Mr. Thinakorn Kanasuta
Mr. Poldej Worachat
Mr. Nopporn Adchariyavanich
Mrs. Chulamanee Chartsuwan
Mr. Poj Harnpol
Mr. Paitoon Mahapannaporn<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Past Presidents & Executive Committee (1997\u20132025)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Members who served the Sri Lanka\u2013Thailand Society since its inception in 1997<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Presidents<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gemunu Gunatilleke
Nirmalie Gunatilleke
Nihal Mallikaaratchi<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Immediate Past President<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nirmalie Gunatilleke<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Vice Presidents<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seneri de Silva
Kumara Semage
Nemsiri Mutukumara
Dayasiri Warnakulasooriya
Sarath de Silva
Keerthi Senanayake
Nihal Mallikaaratchi
Chula de Silva
Thilak Godamanne
Lionel Fernando
Wilson Wijegunaratne<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Secretaries<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upali S. Jayasekera
G.M.A. de Silva<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Assistant Secretaries<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prof. Daya Edirisinghe
Sumana Liyanage
G.M.A. de Silva
K.V.D.W. Wijegunaratne
Prof. Gaminda Haegoda
Jayantha Gunasekara
Janaka Boteju<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Treasurers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uditha Palihakkara
Nihal Mallikaaratchi
Sumana Liyanage
Priyantha Peiris
Sarath de Silva
Deshabandu K. Jayakumar<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Editors<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upali S. Jayasekera
G.M.A. de Silva<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Auditors<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kosala Wickremanayake
Asoka G. Weerasekara
Nimal Wijetunga
Ranjith Maligasp<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Vice Patrons<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upali S. Jayasekera
Kumara Semage
Uditha Palihakkara<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Committee Members (1997\u20132025)<\/strong>
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Bernard Ranasinghe<\/p>\n\n\n\n

D.D. Liyanage<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keerthi Senanayake<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anoma Herath<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Capt. Gamini Nanayakkara<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sarath de Silva<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chula de Silva<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dayasiri Warnakulasooriya<\/p>\n\n\n\n

K.V.D.W. Wijegunaratne<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dilki S. Wickremasekara<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deshabandu K. Jayakumar<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Vijaya Corea<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thilini Padmasakera<\/p>\n\n\n\n

R. Jayaweera<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chandima de Silva<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dinesh Moses<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prof. Gaminda Haegoda<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amare Wanigaratne<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nedra Goonasekara<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tissa Ruberu<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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A.A. Silva<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kanthi Perera<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ananda Rajapakse<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nihal Mallikaaratchi<\/p>\n\n\n\n

J.D.A. Wijewardena<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tilak Fernando<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kammon Pomsuline<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nihal Abeygoonewardena<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tilak Godamanne<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lionel Fernando<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rohan ElgiriyaWithana<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prof. Daya Edirisinghe<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chandra Jayatilleke<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dilrukshi Edirisinghe<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jayantha Gunasekara<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ruwan P. Gallage<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prabhath Kaushallya<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arjuna Yatawara<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asoka G. Weerasekara<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tyronne Marshall<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Malini Dias<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Berty Wickremapala<\/p>\n\n\n\n

F.D. Balasuriya<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uditha Palihakkara<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chitral Jayawardena<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bundit Saralamba<\/p>\n\n\n\n

G.M.A. de Silva<\/p>\n\n\n\n

V.K.J. Ramanayake<\/p>\n\n\n\n

B.H. Passaperuma<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ayoma Wijesundera<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thusitha Munindradasa<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Buddhima Subasinghe<\/p>\n\n\n\n

N.B.S. Ubesiri<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A.A. Nizam<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. W.A. Wijewardena<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Sanjeewa Jayasinghe<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wilson Gunaratne<\/p>\n\n\n\n

D.S.K. Pathirana<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ranjith Laksiri<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Janaka Boteju<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Sri Lanka\u2013Thailand Society (SLTS) is a community-driven organization established in 1997 by Mr Gemunu Gunatilleke to nurture friendship, understanding, and goodwill between the peoples of Sri Lanka and Thailand. Rooted in shared cultural values and mutual respect, the Society brings together individuals, institutions, and communities to celebrate heritage, encourage dialogue, and strengthen people-to-people connections […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-with-title","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-27","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t