Korean cultural festival will strengthen bilateral ties, says Korean Ambassador

Rafik Jalaldeen

COLOMBO: Korea and Sri Lanka have enjoyed strong friendship since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1977. In recent years, co-operation in the field of labour is remarkable. The "Korean Days" cultural festival would help to strengthen bilateral relations, mutual understanding and closer friendship between the two countries, said

Korean Ambassador Lim Jae-hong at a media conference on Monday held at the Ambassador's residence in Colombo to announce the `Korean Days' organised by the Korean Embassy in collaboration with the Korean Residents Association and the Korean Businessmen's Association in Sri Lanka.

The comprehensive Korean cultural festival due to be held from June 16 and 17 at the BMICH will spotlight Korea's culture, sports and economy and would help enhancing the awareness and understanding of Sri Lankans about what they know of Korea, the Ambassador said.

"The festival is opened to all Sri Lankans and we invite them to visit and enjoy the "Korean Days". Our invitation goes to the Sri Lankan workers who have returned home after working in Korea and Sri Lankans who are seeking employment in Korea. It will be a golden opportunity for them to have a knowledge in Korean culture and tradition, the Ambassador said.

Tracing the history Ambassador Jae-hong observed that the official relations between Sri Lanka and Korea dates back to almost 30 years.

The bilateral relations grew stronger within the last five years with the Head of the State visiting the Republic of Korea in 1995 and when Sri Lanka took a bold step in extending her strong support to the Korean candidature for the non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council for the term of 1996-1997.

Our relations grew stronger after the tsunami in 2004, he pointed out.

Immediately after the tsunami in December 2004,the Korean Government pledged to provide US $ 35 million for emergency relief and reconstruction assistance.

Among the pledged US $ 35 million, US $15 million was designated as grant and US $ 20 million was given as soft loans over the next three years, the Ambassador said.

Moreover, the Korean government significantly increased the number of employment opportunities this year to Sri Lankan workers from 5,500 to 9,000, he added.