News
Korea Week concludes on a high note with Taekwondo and K-Pop
The Korean Embassy in Sri Lanka held ‘2023 Korea Week (K-Culture Festival),’ on Saturday July 8, at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo, with great support from hallyu fans in Sri Lanka.
The Korea Week, composed of the Korean Ambassador’s Cup Taekwondo Championship and K-Pop World Festival, showcased a stunning blend of athleticism and cultural extravaganza. The following news release on the event was issued by the Korean Embassy in Colombo.
The Korean Ambassador’s Cup Taekwondo Championship jointly hosted by the Korean Embassy and the Sri Lanka Taekwondo Federation presented an opportunity for competitors from all across Sri Lanka to display their mastery of the traditional Korean martial art.
The final rounds of the championship were held with the participation of the Korean Ambassador to Sri Lanka H.E. Miyon LEE and Secretary to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr. K. Mahesan as chief guests. Sri Lanka Army and Navy taekwondo teams competed for the final rounds of the sparring competition that garnered much attention from the audience. Several regional Taekwondo clubs in Sri Lanka and the Korean TPC (Taekwondo Peace Corps) team also conducted celebratory performances.
Delivering the welcoming remarks, Korean Ambassador Lee appreciated the efforts to promote taekwondo in Sri Lanka and deepen the bilateral cooperation between Korea and Sri Lanka. She said, “It is inspiring that Taekwondo has been adopted as a daily sport in Sri Lanka especially in schools, army and police, to name a few. Athletes of all ages present today are symbolic of strong cooperation between our two countries.”
The Secretary to the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, K Mahesan emphasised the longstanding close ties enjoyed by Korea and Sri Lanka since 1977 and complimented Korea’s commitment to collaborate with Sri Lanka to develop sports cooperation. In particular, the secretary extended his gratitude to the opportunities and grants given by the Korean government to enhance athletic skills of Sri Lankans.
President of the Sri Lanka Taekwondo Federation Chaminda Punchihewa, Vice President of the Sri Lanka Taekwondo Federation Kanchana Jayarathna and Kukkiwon Dispatch Taekwondo Master Kisu Lee were also present on this important occasion.
In an attempt to foster cultural cooperation and deepen the understanding of Korean music and dance, the Korean Embassy successfully hosted the K-Pop World Festival with the participation of over 1,200 K-pop fans in Sri Lanka. This event was a celebration of Korea’s globally acclaimed music industry, stunning choreography and charismatic performances of K-pop fans in Sri Lanka.
Among many groups that contested for the preliminary round, the K-pop festival featured 14 performers from Sri Lanka, who paid tribute to their favourite K-pop bands through their iconic singing and dance performances.
Korean Ambassador Lee Miyon and Minister of Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickramanayake attendedthe festival as chief guests. Ambassador Lee welcoming the enthusiastic audience at the festival stated that ‘it is very encouraging to witness the appreciation by Sri Lankans for Korea and the Korean culture. Hallyu fan communities in Sri Lanka are a testimony to the love shared for K-pop.
The Korean Embassy in Sri Lanka hopes to intensify cultural exchanges between our two countries and enhance the promotion of creative contents of Korean culture in Sri Lanka and vice versa.’
On this wonderful occasion, Minister of Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickramanayake delivered his congratulations and commended the efforts of the Korean Embassy, in bridging cultural gaps and strengthening bonds for the mutual benefit of both countries.
Renowned Sri Lankan performers Kevin Nugara, Falan Andrea, Piyath Rajapakse and Boa Lim attended the festival as judges. The Korean community leaders, diplomats and alumni of Korean scholarship programmes were also among the attendees.
Korea Week in Sri Lanka is a testament to the expanding cultural ties between Korea and Sri Lanka. The Korean Embassy congratulates all the winners and participants of the Korea Week, and extendsappreciation to all the supporters and volunteers who contributed to the success of this event.
The Indonesian Naval Ship, ‘KRI SULTAN ISKANDAR MUDA – 367’, arrived at the port of Colombo today (22 Jan 26) on a scheduled port call for logistics replenishment and a goodwill mission.
In keeping with time-honored naval tradition the ship was accorded a ceremonial welcome upon arrival.
The 90.71m – long Sigma Corvette FS is commanded by Commander Annugerah Anurullah.
During the stay in Colombo, the crew members of the ship are expected to visit some tourist attractions in the city limits.
Further, this visit provides an avenue to enhance professional interaction and courtesy engagements among two navies.
The Royal Navy of Oman Ship ‘AL SEEB’ arrived at the Port of Colombo on a logistics replenishment visit today (22 Jan 26).
The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship in compliance with naval traditions.
The 75m – long ship is commanded by Lieutenant Commander Hamad Bin Mohammed Aldarmaki. The port call will facilitate professional interaction and goodwill exchanges between the two navies.
During her stay in Colombo, crew members of the ship are expected to visit some tourist attractions in the city of Colombo.
News
Mechanism to be established involving university academics and experts for Education Reforms – President
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the Government is taking steps to establish a comprehensive mechanism, supported by an appropriate legal framework, to bring together university academics, experts and all relevant parties in order to resolve issues arising during the implementation of education reforms.
The President made these remarks during a discussion with the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) held on Wednesday (21) morning at the Presidential Secretariat.
During the discussion, FUTA members emphasized the challenges encountered while trying to implement educational reforms through a framework established by the National Institute of Education, in line with the current laws and regulations.
They further emphasized that while their association acknowledges the need for new education reforms, the urgency of such reforms is greater for students in rural schools than for those in urban schools.
The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations further stated that they appreciate the decision taken by the Government, under the leadership of the President, to address the issues arising from education reforms and affirmed their readiness to contribute to this process.
As a continuation of the previous discussion, proposals addressing the challenges faced by academics within the university system, along with possible solutions, were presented to the President. In response, the President emphasized that the Government would take all possible measures to safeguard the university system and strengthen education.
The discussion also covered proposed amendments to the Universities Act.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake noted that, in the aftermath of the recent disaster, the Government has been effectively implementing a nationwide rebuilding programme, addressing economic stability, development and all critical sectors. The President also called upon university academics to actively support these reconstruction efforts.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation, Anura Karunathilaka, as well as representatives of the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations, including its President, Prof. P. R. Weerathunga, Vice President M. A. M. Sameem and Secretary Charudaththe Ilangasinghe.
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