South Korean Special Envoy visits Sri Lanka coinciding with 45 years of diplomatic ties

A high-level delegation led by the Special Envoy of the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea, Han Dongman visited Sri Lanka for an official visit from 14 to 15 November.

During the visit, Special Envoy Han Dongman paid fruitful courtesy calls on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana at the Parliament and attended a luncheon together with Chief of Staff to the President Sagala Ratnayaka.

Following the courtesy visits, the Special Envoy-led Korean delegation also met with the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka led by Foreign Minister M.U.M. Ali Sabry.

In celebration of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Sri Lanka, the high-level delegation headed by Special Envoy Han Dong-man discussed ways to strengthen the bilateral relations spanning economic cooperation including the 2030 Busan Exposition, trade, investment, labour collaboration and ODA assistance. 

Han Dong-man noted that bilateral economic engagement is paramount in addressing economic challenges and harnessing synergetic opportunities in trade and investment. Korea is keen on bolstering the labour cooperation between the two countries. This year, the Korean Government has taken measures to expand the labour quota from Sri Lanka. 

The seamless operation of the Employment Permit System resulted in more opportunities for labour collaboration. Since Sri Lanka ranks as one of the top five principal ODA partner countries from 2021 to 2025, he also stated that Korea will continue to provide Sri Lanka with development assistance through its ODA agencies in Sri Lanka.

The extensive and warm discussion held during Han Dong-man’s meetings, with all interlocutors will impart further impetus to the close and mutually beneficial ties between Korea and Sri Lanka. From the Korean Delegation, Korean Ambassador Santhush Woonjin Jeong, Deputy Head of Mission Lim Miyeon, KOICA Country Director Kim Myung Jin, EXIM Bank of Korea Country Director Ha Won Suk, KOTRA Country Director Son Joo Hong, EPS Center Country Director Lee Joo Chul and Senior Manager Lee Eunyoung attended the meetings.