June 07, Colombo: Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said South Korean assistance to Sri Lanka by imparting knowledge and providing assistance in many fields is all the more praiseworthy as it is a continuous process.

He said this when Korean President’s Special Envoy Lee Jin-bok and a team of Korean Parliamentarians called on him at the Prime Minister’s Office in Parliament on June 6 and Director General of Busan City, You Jang Cho at the Temple Trees on June 7.

The Prime Minister said the Republic of Korea and its donor agencies as well as development foundations continue to undertake many welfare measures keeping up with the Korea’s magnanimous gesture of assisting Sri Lanka.

The Prime Minister said the deep friendship and bilateral relations between the Republic of Korea and Sri Lanka continue to flourish to a remarkable level at present. Collaborations between the two countries also exist at a greater level including in academia, science and technology and cultural relations, he said.

Special Envoy Lee Jin-bok, who is Senior Secretary (Political Affairs) to Korean President, said Korea will increase its investments, trade and development cooperation. He also said further assistance will be extended for youth skills development in information technology and added that virtual teaching facilities could be extended to existing IT training centers by Korean IT experts.

Public Administration State Minister Janaka Wakkumbura said Sri Lanka public officials are highly impressed with the Korean Development Model and Human Resources Capacity Development Activity Plans of Korea and I am happy to note that they are putting them into practice in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan MPs said Korea has the opportunities now to invest in new sectors such as production of agricultural machinery, medicine and medical equipment and renewable energy and fisheries sectors.

State Minister of Indigenous Medicine Sisira Jayakody said Korea could provide expertise in Ayurvedic medicine such as extraction of essence from leaves for herbal medicine production with potential for exports.

The Korean delegations also briefed the Prime Minister about the proposal to hold EXPO 2030 in Busan and its preparations. Ven K Vijithawansha Thera of Sri Lanka Ramaya in Korea, Korean MPs, Sanghum Yoo, Wowook Lee, Hunseung Lee, Byuwan Kan, State Ministers, Chamara Sampath Dasnayake, Ashoka Priyantha, Sisira Jayakody and Janaka Wakkumbura, MPs Sudarshan Denipitiya, Yadamini Gunawardena and Thenuka Vidanagama took part in the two meetings.