-Korea is an important source of foreign direct investment
“There is greater focus on widening and deepening the friendly relations with Korea,
with particular emphasis on the political and economic sectors.
For Seoul City Magazine
By H.E. Manisha GUNASEKERA, Amb.of Sri Lanka
H.E. Manisha GUNASEKERA, Amb.of Sri Lanka |
This year as well as the month of February is very special for Sri Lanka. This beautiful
island nation in Asia will celebrate the 69th anniversary of independence on 4 February
2017. Additionally, Sri Lanka will celebrate the establishment of the 40th anniversary
of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Republic of Korea on 14 November
2017. The Sri Lanka Embassy willcommence commemorating these important
milestones by hosting two Independence Day receptions on 3rd and 5th February
2017, respectively, in Seoul, with one for Korean dignitaries and the diplomatic corps,
and the other for the Sri Lankan community in Korea as well as Korean dignitaries
associated with the welfare of the Sri Lankan community. The 5th February reception
for the Sri Lankan community will be held in Gimpo City with the support of the
Gimpo City Office, His Worship YooYeongrok, Mayor of Gimpo City, and the Sri
Lankan community living all over Korea.
Sri Lanka Tea Country Train in Nuwara Eliya - The train ride from Colombo up into the tea plantations of central Sri Lanka is not just transportation its a highlight of touris |
Additionally, the Embassy of Sri Lanka has drawn up a plan including 14 activities /
promotional events to be held through 2017 including a Sri Lanka Food Promotion
at the Millennium Seoul Hilton (May 2017), Sri Lankan dance performances in Seoul
and other cities by a renowned dance troupe(May 2017), a Sri Lanka photo exhibition in Seoul (May 2017), and a Sri Lanka Film
Festival in Seoul. The Sri Lankan travel trade will also participate in travel fairs in
Korea including KOTFA, to showcase this beautiful ‘pearl of the Indian Ocean’ as an
attractive tourist destination. Additionally, discussions are underway for a Korean
investment and business delegation to visit Sri Lanka in May-June to attend the Sri Lanka Investment and Business Conclave 2017 in Colombo,
and for an importers delegation from KOIMA to visit Sri Lanka this year.
Trincomalee beach - on Sri Lanka east coast its raw rustic cheap sunny and beautiful place |
The Head of State and Government of Sri Lanka is His Excellency MaithripalaSirisena.
President Sirisena was elected as the 6th Executive President of Sri Lanka at the
presidential election held on 8 January 2015, having contested on a mandate of
good governance, anti-corruption and strengthening of democratic institutions of the country.
Korea is an important source of foreign direct investment to Sri Lanka. Korean
investment has over 70 companies based in Sri Lanka, and has generated more
than 8,000 job opportunities in the country. The sectors in which Sri Lanka welcomes
investment and joint ventures by Korean companies are manufacturing (auto
components, machinery and appliances, electronic and electrical products,
pharmaceuticals, rubber-based products, value added gems and jewellery); infrastructure development
(urban centre development, hospitals, transport networks, hospitals, etc); tourism(development of hotels, beach resorts, villas, theme parks, golf courses, etc); IT
(software industry, BPM/IT and IT enabled services), apparel and textiles, agro-processing, dairyand fisheries, among others.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage - an orphanage nursery and captive breeding ground for wild Asian elephants located at Pinnawala village |
There is great potential for the development of tourism from Korea to Sri Lanka.
There are daily airline connections between Korea and Sri Lanka including three direct
flights a week by Korean Air between Seoul and Colombo from 2013. Korean tourist
arrivals in Sri Lanka which stood at 4,318 in 2010 has increased to 14,520 in 2016,
registering a growth of 236 per cent. Sri Lanka is a unique tourist destination which
offers the tourists a remarkable combination of experiences spanning cultural and
religious sites, pristine beaches, wildlife, tea estates, whale watching, elephant
safari and water and adventure sports.
Sri Lanka and the Republic of Korea as two Asian countries have longstanding
friendly relations spanning centuries. Following the inauguration of the national
unity Government led by President MaithripalaSirisena and Prime Minister
RanilWickremesinghe in Sri Lanka in 2015, there is greater focus on widening and
deepening the friendly relations with Korea, with particular emphasis on the
political and economic sectors. In this regard, we look forward to stronger bonds
of friendship in 2017. I request all readers of Seoul City magazine to experience
Sri Lanka in 2017 either through our promotional events or by visiting this
beautiful island.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Seoul, Republic of Korea