News
The gift of acquiring a foreign language makes a positive contribution towards one’s nation
The gift of acquiring a foreign language makes a positive contribution towards one’s nation
As an event of “Korea Week”, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Kandy King Sejong Institute Center organized a Korean Speech Contest on a virtual platform in 2020.
Outstanding students of the Korean Speech Contest 2020 were recently awarded prizes by Santhush Woonjin JEONG, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea at an awards ceremony held online.
Around 70 participants submitted video entries of speeches on the themes of interesting experiences with the Korean language, culture or on a topic related to Korea (e.g. K-Pop, K-drama, food, travel, history, entertainment, etc). All participants displayed remarkable Korean linguistic skills and their fluent execution of the Korean language deeply impressed all the judges.
The following were adjudged best speakers at the Korean speech contest 2020.
First Place:
* Kulara Wichramarachchi
Second Place:
* Dhananjaya Jayasinghe
* Thanushi Rajapakse
Third Place:
* Aheesha Dilshani Jabir
* Gimhani Dikkumbura
The Ambassador conveyed his deep appreciation for all the participants and the organizers of the Korean Speech contest for their interest and commitment to further Korea- Sri Lanka ties amid the pandemic.
“I believe that although the epidemic has altered the way we meet and communicate, it will not change the enthusiasm of Sri Lankans to learn Korean. At this outset, I would like to give all the contestants a thumb up, and a special thanks to the teachers and judges who actively organized the competition during this special period. We appreciate your hard work and strenuous efforts in advocating the Korean language learning”, he noted.
The Ambassador further said that despite the differences of our two cultures we are united by the mutual respect and love shown to each others’ culture and language.
He said that “more Sri Lankan youth can become bridges and civilian diplomats of the Korea-Sri Lanka friendship. I hope that friends from all walks of life in Sri Lanka will continue to work together to take our bilateral relations to another level and create a brighter future for our two countries. It is our strong belief that the 2020 Korean Language Speech Contest will continue to make a greater contribution to strengthening the student exchanges of culture and thoughts and in promotion of the world peace and development”.
The participants also displayed an active interest in learning the Korean language which opened avenues through which they learned more about the time-honoured Korean culture, customs and the unique Korean society. They also shared their love for K-Pop, Korean food and culture through speeches submitted for the competition.
The Korean speech contest 2020 has successfully contributed to deepening the cultural ties between the two countries by providing recognition for the Sri Lankan youth who embark upon a new journey to broaden their future possibilities by learning Korean.
The Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, paid a solemn visit to the Embassy of the Vatican in Colombo today (25) to offer condolences on behalf of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.
During the visit, Dr. Amarasuriya signed the book of condolence, expressing deep sorrow over the demise of the beloved spiritual leader and extending heartfelt sympathies to the Catholic community both in Sri Lanka and around the world:
The Prime Minister was received by the Archbishop Brian N. Udaigwe, Apostolic Nuncio of the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican Embassy in Colombo and other officials.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
President Anura Kumara Disanayake conducted an inspection tour of Kandy city on Thursday (24) night to inspect the progress of the “Siri Dalada Wandanawa” and the related issues that have emerged.
The President held an urgent meeting with relevant officials to address the issues related to sanitation facilities for devotees visiting Kandy to venerate the sacred tooth relic
Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister K.D. Lalkantha, Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa Nilanga Dela Bandara , Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya, Army Commander Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, Governor of the Central Province Prof. Sarath Abeykoon, Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatte and others participated in this meeting.
[PMD]
A Sri Lankan delegation met with US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer on the 22nd of April, 2025 at the US Trade Representative Office in Washington D.C.
The Sri Lankan delegation, on the instructions of President Disanayaka, who is also the Minister of Finance, handed over the originals of communications addressed to US Trade Representative Ambassador Greer
The delegation updated Ambassador Greer on the challenges that Sri Lanka has faced in the past and the steps that are being taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to overcome future challenges and move towards full economic recovery. The delegation also highlighted the prompt and positive commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka to work with the US Government in reducing the trade deficit, and lowering tariff and non-tariff barriers.
Ambassador Greer acknowledged the proposals made by the Sri Lankan government and expressed hope that an agreement can be reached soon between the two countries to ensure fair and equitable trade relations.
Later on that day, the Sri Lankan delegation met with the USTR delegation appointed by Ambassador Greer lead by Assistant United States Trade Representative, In-charge of South and Central Asia, Brendan Lynch along with Director In-charge of South Asia, Emily Ashby to discuss further the appeal made in writing by Sri Lanka to the US. The two sides agreed to continue the discussions with the objective of finalizing a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries. Both sides expressed the desire to finalize the agreement in the shortest possible time period.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and overseeing negotiations with other countries. The head of USTR is the U.S. Trade Representative, a Cabinet member who serves as the president’s principal trade advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on trade issues.
[PMD]
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