As a representative of the Royal Thai Government, H.E. Mr. Poldej Worachat, Thai Ambassador to Sri Lanka, attend the annual Siam Upasamapada ceremony at Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy on 22 May 2013.The ceremony is presided by Most Venerable Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangalabida Maha Nayake Thero of the Malwatta Chapter of Siam Niakaya and H.E. Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka.

     Maha Nayaka Thero of Malwatta Chapter and President express their appreciation for the long standing Buddhist tie between Thailand and Sri Lanka. In particular, they thanked King Boromkot of Ayutthaya Kingdom for dispatching a religious Thai envoy led by Upali Maha Thero to Sri Lanka to ordain Sri Lankan Bhikkus in 1753. This has revived the Buddhism in Sri Lanka and has marked the establishment of Siam Nikaya Sect in Sri Lanka since then.

     On the occasion, Maha Nakaya Thero gave an honour plague to the Royal Thai Government, through the Ambassador, to show his appreciation on Thailand’s role in reestablishing Siam Upasampada 260 year ago. In return, the Ambassador offered an honour plague to the Maha Nayaka Thero to express the gratitude to Most Venerable for preserving Siam Upasampada and Siam Nikaya sect.

     Upasampada ceremony in Sri Lanka is organized annually between Vesak Poya Day and Poson Poya Day