A visiting Parliamentary delegation from the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea led by Hon. Lee Hack Young, Deputy Speaker paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, on 03 February 2026.

The Foreign Minister extended appreciation to the Government of the Republic of Korea for the support extended for development projects in Sri Lanka through KOICA and the Korea Exim Bank. The Minister also expressed Sri Lanka’s gratitude for the assistance received from the Republic of Korea following the adverse weather conditions relating to Cyclone Ditwah.

Minister Herath highlighted the increase in South Korean tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka in the recent years and discussed means of further enhancing tourism cooperation between the two countries. The Minister also focused on people-to-people relations between the two countries and reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment to further strengthen these ties. He expressed interest in strengthening cooperation between the Parliaments of both countries. The Minister also sought increased employment opportunities for Sri Lankans in the Republic of Korea.

The Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea conveyed the interest of the South Korean Government to further assist the development priorities of Sri Lanka. He also expressed the intention of enhancing trade and economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and the Republic of Korea and pledged to ensure the protection and the well-being of Sri Lankan workers in the Republic of Korea.

Both sides recalled the strong and friendly bilateral ties between Sri Lanka and the Republic of Korea which span over almost half a century and reaffirmed the commitment to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation between the two countries in various areas of mutual interest.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Sri Lanka, Miyon Lee and senior officials of the Ministry and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Colombo were also present at the meeting.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism
06 February 2026