Korean ambassador bids adieu to Sri Lanka
MOHAMMED RASOOLDEEN
COLOMBO : Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Sri Lanka, Santhush Woonjin JEONG bade Good Bye to Sri Lanka on completion of his three-year tour of duty on Monday,April 3 in Colombo.
It was a touching moment when the envoy was greeted and wished by a galaxy of VIPs and commoners with whom he spent the best days of his life in the fair isle of Sri Lanka.
He was a popular diplomat and had completed a successful innings from Colombo.
Mohammed Rasooldeen, Chief Editor of of Colombo Times and Chief correspondent for Arab News in Sri Lanka presented a memento in appreciation of the envoy’s services at the farewell reception.
The envoy’s final speech is given below:
” I take this opportunity to deeply appreciate your wonderful friendship and invaluable efforts to assist me in strengthening Korea-Sri Lanka relations.
Serving as the Korean Ambassador to Sri Lanka has been a great honour in my life.
I vividly remember the day I arrived in Sri Lanka as the Korean Ambassador in 2020.
Not only did I have the privilege to spend the last few years in this beautiful country, this was also a period of great importance to our bilateral relations.
Last year, 2022 was a special year as we celebrated the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and Sri Lanka.
I would like to thank Foreign Ministry for your wonderful support and cooperation during my tenure.
I canot but convey my thankfulness to my uncle Hon. Speaker and President and members of Korea-SL Parliamenary Friendship Association for your wonderful support
Also, I would like to thank my close friends colleagues Ambassadors in Sri Lanka for the close friendship you have shown me and my wife. Thank you Excellencies, I hope we continue our friendship in the years to come.
During my term as Korean Ambassador to Sri Lanka, I have tried my best to strengthen the bilateral relations, especially in the fields of labour cooperation, economic cooperation and development, public health, culture and education
I also thank the Korea-Sri Lanka business council and SL-ROK association for constantly engaging the business community at all times to revive economic collaborations in the post-pandemic era.
Since my arrival in Sri Lanka in 2020, I have focused on the cultural cooperation between our two countries with great interest. I made many friends in the Sri Lankan cultural fields.
I am thankful to everyone for your continued support and participation in numerous cultural events organized by the Korean Embassy, such as the Korean Lantern Festival, Quiz on Korea, K-pop World festival, Korean Ambassador’s Taekwondo Championship, Korean Film Festival, Virtual Tour and K-fiesta that concluded successfully. It was made possible with the support from Cultural Ministry, Education Ministry and SL media. Thank you so much.
I take this opportunity to thank the Sri Lankan youth including SNS supporters and winners of competitions for your love and appreciation for Korean culture.
In terms of education cooperation, I truly commend the Sri Lankan government’s decision to adopt the Korean language for advanced level classes from 2021 onwards and introduce Korean as a subject among foreign languages for the university entrance examination from this year. I appreciate the officials of the Education Ministry and National Institute of Education, for your tremendous assistance to develop education cooperation between our two countries.
I also take this opportunity to extend my thankfulness to Hon. Attorney General and Mr. IGP and Sri Lanka Police and military led by Chief of Defense staff for your diligent and dedicated service to protect all people including the Korean residents in Sri Lanka. Representing my country, I would like to thank you.
Sri Lanka is strategically important considering its location, abundance of natural resources, and skilled human resources. Korea’s capital and technology will be complementary to create the perfect synergies for our two countries. I am humbled to hear that Korea is well known as the “Miracle on Han River,” I believe that Sri Lanka also works “a Miracle on Kelani River.”
Challenge is another chance. I hope that you realize your potential of this beautiful country and achieve our common goals together.
I would like to mention that Korea has been a friend of Sri Lanka in its hour of need. In Matara, Korea and Sri Lanka opened Korea-Sri Lanka friendship Hospital recently sponsored by Koica, which is a simbol of two countries friends
I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the hospitality, support, and encouragement given to me and my wife throughout these years. I am deeply grateful for the friendships and partnerships that have been forged during my time here.
As I always said, my Sri Lankan name is Santhush, which means happiness. I came to Sri Lanka to share happiness with Srio Lanka. I love Sri Lanka. I love Sri Lankan people.
I have every reason to believe that next 45 years of Korea-Sri Lanka relations will be even more glorious. No matter where I will be in the future, I will always wish for the happiness and prosperity of Sri Lanka. I take this opportunity to especially thank my colleagues and friends in this delightful island.” Photos Ashraff A Samad
