COLOMBO: Korean Ambassador Santhush Woonjin JEONG met with the Governor of Northern Province, P.S.M. Charles on Wednesday March, 31,at her office in Colombo.
During the meeting with the Governor, the Ambassador discussed ways to promote the economic and cultural ties between Korea and Sri Lanka. Both sides discussed opportunities to explore potentials in trade, infrastructure development and tourism in the Northern Province.
They stressed the significance of strengthening people-to-people ties between Korea and Sri Lanka and the importance of COVID-19 subsides in the region.
The Ambassador stated that “Korea is eager to assist development projects in Sri Lanka including the Northern Province. The Korean Development Assistance (ODA) agencies such as Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and Korea Exim bank have greatly contributed to the expansion of development in the Northern region. KOICA and Exim bank have funded projects in education, transportation, water resources, sanitation and regional development in Sri Lanka. These fruitful endeavours benefitted around 40 schools in the Northern region.
Recently, the Education Environment improvement Project funded by KOICA was a product of the successive projects held in collaboration with UNICEF to improve infrastructure facilities and human capacity building in the Northern region.”
Ambassador Santhush Woonjin Jeong reiterated that there is more potential to increase trade relations between Korea and Sri Lanka. “The trade volume should be expanded for both countries to enjoy the favourable outcomes of investment and economic growth. Under the vision of the President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa the Ambassador is keen to assist Sri Lanka in achieving the fruits of development in all regions including the Northern Province. Education has been one of the most significant pillars behind the national development of Korea. The main objective of providing infrastructure development and increasing the capacity building of schools is to promote education and ensure that the future generations of Sri Lanka reach vistas of prosperity under the national policy. “
Governor Charles appreciated the assistance extended by the government of Korea for education, infrastructure development and capacity building in the Northern Province. Hon. P.S.M. Charles stated “Korea and Sri Lanka share a sentimental attachment.
The common historical experiences shared by Korea and Sri Lanka have further brought our nations together. Korea’s economic success story is indeed an inspiration to Sri Lanka as there are many lessons to be learnt in overcoming hardships”. The Governor further discussed ways to boost tourism in Jaffna and uplift the livelihoods of the populace.
Furthermore the Ambassador stated that Korea has also been providing assistance to Sri Lanka to cope with COVID-19 by strengthening its cooperation to uplift public health in Sri Lanka. In December 2020, the government of the Republic of Korea donated COVID-19 Diagnostic Kits amounting to the sum of USD 300,000 to contain and control COVID-19.
The Korean Embassy in Sri Lanka has shown its thankfulness to the anti-covid task force who have dedicated themselves to protect people in Sri Lanka including Korean residents by donating re-usable fabric masks.
Ambassador Santhush expressed his willingness to explore the possibilities in the Northern Province, especially in the tourism sector and explore the establishment of trade activities. He said, “As the Korean Ambassador in Sri Lanka I hope the friendship between Korea and Sri Lanka will further grow and Korea will stand with Sri Lanka in its journey of development”.
During the discussion the Governor extended an invitation for the Ambassador to visit the Northern Province in the near future.
