Korean National Day 2020 celebrations in Sri Lanka

The Korean Embassy in Sri Lanka celebrates the National Foundation day of Korea on 3 October. It is the first National Day of Korea since Ambassador Woonjin Jeong assumed his post in Sri Lanka in July. Ambassador Jeong presented his credentials to Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on 30 September.

Due to the global pandemic of COVID-19, the Korean Embassy will not hold the official National Day reception, but will present a video program on Korea, which is scheduled to be broadcasted on several TV channels; ITN - 6:15 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. on 3 October; Rupavahini - 12:15 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. on 3 October; TV Derana - 4:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. on 4 October. The dates are still to be confirmed. 

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, and many other Sri Lankan officials, expressed their greetings on the occasion of the National Foundation Day of Korea in the program. Furthermore musical duo, Bathiya and Santhush, delivered their congratulatory message to the Korean people.

Confirming the successful response to COVID-19 of Korea and Sri Lanka, Ambassador Jeong expressed that both countries are among the safest countries in the world in terms of COVID-19. The Ambassador also presented his faith in the resilience of Sri Lanka in dealing with any hardship, and the expectation of the prompt economic revival of the country. 

Ambassador Jeong also reiterated his willingness to boost and upgrade bilateral ties between the two countries, with Korea considering Sri Lanka an important economic, trade and investment partner. In this context, the Ambassador noted that Korea was extremely keen on boosting two-way trade and investment in ways which benefit the economies of both countries. In particular, he said the ongoing labour cooperation also attests to the close relations between both countries. Approximately 3,000 diligent Sri Lankan workers seek job opportunities annually, and around 23,000 Sri Lankan workers are presently employed in Korea, contributing to the economic advancement of both countries. They have transmitted as much as $ 520 million to Sri Lanka in 2019. The migrant workers bridge both countries in more ways than one, as they continue to promote favourable interests in Korea and raise awareness among the general public even after they return to Sri Lanka. The expansion of migrant employment for Sri Lankans in the Republic of Korea will result in furthering economic and commercial ties of both countries.

The Ambassador also emphasised that Sri Lanka is not only one of Korea’s priority ODA cooperation partner countries, but also one of the top five countries that have benefitted from the Economic Development Cooperation Fund of Korea. The sum of investment in various ODA projects and grants for Sri Lanka since 1987 is over $ 600 million. The Sri Lanka office of KOICA, which was established in Colombo in 1994, has assisted and funded commercial and infrastructure projects of Sri Lanka, thus augmenting the development of Sri Lanka. Korea has been promoting projects in various fields such as education, transportation, water resources, sanitation and regional development in Sri Lanka. As a reliable friend, Korea is a trustworthy partner of Sri Lanka in meeting the current needs of national development. 

Celebrating the National Day, the Korean Embassy is planning to present hand-made facial masks to the police and military personnel who have dedicated themselves to protecting people in Sri Lanka, including Korean residents, from the COVID-19 pandemic. The masks were prepared by the Korean Embassy in collaboration with the KOICA Sri Lanka office to help the vulnerable population in Sri Lanka, and were manufactured by a Sri Lankan social enterprise.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1977, Korea and Sri Lanka have come a long way together to form a cordial bilateral partnership. Based on the mutual trust and respect both countries have built over the years, the friendship between the two countries will grow from strength to strength in the years to come.

The Korean Embassy shares information on its activities and cultural events, and major policies of the Korean government, through Facebook. For more details, please refer to the Korean Embassy Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/korembsl/.