South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged his support for President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s economic recovery plan for Sri Lanka.
He praised President Wickremesinghe’s programme aimed at alleviating the severe economic crisis in the country and commended his dedication.
Additionally, President Yoon mentioned the potential for expanding the scope for job opportunities in South Korea for Sri Lankan youth in the future.
The South Korean leader lauded President Wickremesinghe’s efforts to address Climate Change issues based on the COP 27 agenda and proposed for Sri Lanka and Korea to enter into a Bilateral Climate Change Agreement.
He further proposed the need to expedite the conclusion of a Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement with a view to facilitating more Korean investment bringing in new technology to Sri Lanka.
The official meeting between Presidents Wickremesinghe and President Yoon occurred alongside the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the South Korean Permanent Resident Mission to the United Nations in New York.
The leaders discussed the strengthening of diplomatic relations that began in 1978 and explored opportunities for further expansion.
President Wickremesinghe emphasised the importance of expeditiously finalizing a trade agreement between the two nations.
Both leaders prioritised enhancing trade and investment relations between Sri Lanka and South Korea.
Additionally, President Yoon expressed gratitude for the valuable contributions of Sri Lankan youths working in South Korea to the country’s economy.
Furthermore, the South Korean President highlighted that Sri Lankan workers who have gained skills in South Korea will return to contribute to Sri Lanka’s economy positively.
He also applauded the commitment of the Sri Lankan President to address climate change. President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasised Sri Lanka’s digitization efforts, while the South Korean President noted that Sri Lanka can draw valuable lessons from South Korea’s remarkable achievements in digitization.
In a friendly gesture, President Yoon extended an invitation to President Ranil Wickremesinghe for an official visit to South Korea in the near future.
Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane and other senior officials from Sri Lanka and Korea participated in the meeting.
Subhashini Indika Kumari Liyanage has been appointed as the new Commissioner General of Examinations, effective immediately.
She succeeds H.J.M.C.A. Jayasundara, whose term ended on May 06, 2025.
Liyanage, a Special Grade Officer of the Sri Lanka Education Administrative Service, previously served as an Examinations Commissioner in the Department of Examinations.
Her appointment was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne announced to Parliament today (May 08) the members nominated by the Committee of Selection to serve on 06 Sectoral Oversight Committees.
Accordingly, the members appointed to the 06 Sectoral Oversight Committees are as follows. Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations
Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi
Mrs.Sagarika Athauda, Attorney at Law
Mrs.Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney at Law
Kanthasamy Prabu
Wijesiri Basnayake
Thilina Samarakoon
Ms. Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney at Law
Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development
Manjula Suraweera Arachchi
K. Ilankumaran
Ravindra Bandara
Danushka Ranganath
Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana
Shantha Pathma Kumara Subasingha
Mrs. Geetha Herath, Attorney at Law
Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital
Aboobucker Athambawa
Ms. Krishnan Kalaichelvi
Mrs. Nilusha Lakmali Gamage
Sugath Wasantha de Silva
Sujeewa Dissanayake
Sanjeewa Ranasingha
Sunil Rajapaksha
Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Media and Women’s Empowerment
Muneer Mulaffer
Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe
Mrs. Samanmali Gunasingha
Prof. Sena Nanayakkara
Dr. S. Sri Bavanandarajah
Jagath Manuwarna
Ruwan Mapalagama
Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability
Roshan Akmeemana
Upul Kithsiri
Mrs.M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani
Susantha Kumara Nawarathna
Sudath Balagalla
Kitnan Selvaraj
Bhagya Sri Herath, Attorney at Law
Sectoral Oversight Committee on Science, Technology and Digital Transformation
Chathuranga Abeysinghe
Arkam Ilyas
Lasith Bhashana Gamage
Thanura Dissanayake
Mrs. Hasara Liyanage, Attorney at Law
Dr. Janaka Senarathna
Chandima Hettiaratchi
The Speaker also announced that the Committee of Selection had also nominated Members of Parliament Wasantha Samarasinghe, Sundaralingam Pradeep, Aboobucker Athambawa to serve on the Committee on Parliamentary Business.
In addition, the Speaker further announced to Parliament that the Committee of Selection had also nominated Members of Parliament Aboobucker Athambawa, Arkam Ilyas, Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran to serve on the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and Member of Parliament Sunil Rathnasiri to serve on the Committee on Public Accounts. (COPA).