The new Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Sri Lanka, Lee Heon, presented his credentials to President Maithripala Sirisena at President’s House in Colombo, on January 23. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tilak Marapana and Secretary to the President, Austin Fernando attended the occasion.
Lee, who arrived in Sri Lanka on January 16, shares a special bond with the country, having served at the Korean Embassy in Colombo in the 1990s, in his very first post abroad on joining the Foreign Service.
During his previous term, when Sri Lanka was experiencing civil war, the Republic of Korea was the largest investor of FDI in the country at that time.
Ambassador Lee is delighted to have the opportunity to return to Sri Lanka, which is like a second home to him, particularly now, when bilateral relations have been further strengthened, with the celebration of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, in 2017. The state visit by President Maithripala Sirisena to Korea last November was indeed meaningful when Ambassador Lee had the opportunity to meet with the Sri Lankan President on various occasions.
The new Korean Ambassador will further strengthen relations between Korea and Sri Lanka, in a mutually beneficial way, and thereby enhance the bonds of friendship and understanding between the two nations and its peoples.
The Republic of Korea is to host the Pyeong Chang 2018 Olympic Winter Games (February 9~25) and the Winter Paralympic Games (March 9~18) in the Gangwon Province, and look forward to interest and support for the Games.