'Korea-Lanka economic ties strengthened

The Republic of Korea (South Korea) expects to commence direct flights between Korea and Sri Lanka to develop closer ties between the two countries and

promote tourism, according to Korean MP Chung Uihwa, member of a Korean Parliamentary delegation. He said this when he met Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa at the Ministry office recently.

The MP said that by now a number of Korean-funded projects have been launched in Sri Lanka and Korean investors have already invested in the country, since the island's infrastructure had been developed to meet the needs of both investors and tourists, following the end of the anti-LTTE war.

Recalling the unbroken historical bonds between the two countries, members of the Korean delegation also stressed the need for forging closer links in the sphere of culture and religion.

There are approximately 25,000 Sri Lankans employed in South Korea, could help in boosting Sri Lanka's tourism image in Korea, according to the parliamentarians.

Kahambiliyagama and Epitawatte, two villages in the Kegalle and Ratnapura Districts respectively, have been selected for development under the Korean concept of Saemaul Undong with Korean Government funds. The Sri Lanka Government is funding three similar projects in Weligala and Leliambe in Matale District and in Kitulgala under the same concept.

Minister Rajapaksa said that the Korean-funded convention centre in Hambantota and the hospital in the Matara District, were expected to be opened soon. He requested the visiting parliamentary team to help promote aspects in Sri Lanka's culture in addition to scenic beauty, such as Sri Lanka's waterfalls, wildlife and the coastal areas among the Korean people, since all these have attracted foreign tourists to the island.

Korean Government MPs, Representatives of the Korean National Federation, the Korean Ambassador in Sri Lanka Jongmoon Choi, and Economic Development Ministry, Additional Secretary Priyantha Mayadunne participated in the meeting.