Lankan performers, jewels dazzle Koreans

Yoav CERRALBO

KOREA: How do you thank the Korean people and Government for 30 years of diplomatic relations? You throw a party.

The Sri Lankan Embassy did just that by bringing in a series of cultural and modern performers not only to entertain but to show off their country’s rich heritage.

But it didn’t stop there. There were also four chefs from one of Sri Lankan’s premier hotels to whip up delicacies for a food fair which will be reciprocated with a Korean food fair in Sri Lanka early next year.

And there’s more. The Embassy also arranged for a jewel exhibition showcasing some of the most exquisite gems fashioned by Sri Lankan artists for sale at competitive rates. “This series of functions is slightly different, placing greater emphasis on labour welfare, as well as commerce,” said Sri Lankan Ambassador Asitha Perera.

What can help trade flourish is a free trade agreement Sri Lanka shares with its neighbour to the north. Via the FTA with India, Korean companies can enjoy the advantage of trading some 4,800 products produced in Sri Lanka duty free.

“There are over 100 Korean companies in Sri Lanka today who have invested, and other Korean companies will be coming to Sri Lanka to engage in commercial activity,” Perera noted. Currently there are some 12,000 Sri Lankans working in Korea in various fields from factory workers to engineers.

“We have a quota to add almost 18,000 more so in the near future there will be a total of 30,000 Sri Lankans in Korea helping the Korean economy,” he said.

Going back to the show, diplomats and sajangnim (company owners) got to taste Sri Lankan cuisine while enjoying a star studded spectacular show that not only entertained but also brought to light a culture rarely seen in Korea.

How did this delegation of over 100 people from every sector of Sri Lanka come to Korea? In a Mihin Lanka flight. If that name doesn’t sound familiar don’t worry because by next month it will start direct flights once a week between both countries.

“We are bound together by the fact that we are all Asians. In countries like China, India, Japan and Korea, we have some of the powers of Asia and if we work together I think there is a lot of potential,” he said.

Korea HERALD