During the discussion Mr. Yu Myung-hwan told the President that "Sri Lanka has achieved a lot" since the war ended. The integration of thousands of former LTTE carders and the very swift return of internally displaced persons, are two main examples Myung-hwan cited as the post-war progress that can be seen in the country. The Korean envoy commended on the leadership in ending the war against terrorism as well as post war achievements such as rehabilitating 12,000 LTTE combatants, speedy resettlement of 300,000 internally displaced people and rebuilding the infrastructure.

He further said that the government is to be commended for conducting the first ever election to the Northern Provincial Council in a free and fair manner as well as establishing the Presidential Commission on Missing Persons.

The President said he is waiting for the report of the Commission in order to take future action. The President also encouraged the visiting special envoy to visit the Northern Province. He further said that the government has given priority to the North in development than the South. Mr. Myung-hwan reiterated his government's support to Sri Lanka and its commitment to maintaining strong bilateral relations. "We will do our best to help your government to develop," the Korean envoy said.

Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Colombo Mr. Jongmoon Choi accompanied Mr. Myung-hwan. Parliamentarian Mr. Janaka Bandara and Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs Mrs. Kshenuka Seneviratne were also present at the meeting.

Mr. Myung-hwan a former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Korea from 2008 to 2010, is visiting Sri Lanka from April 20-22. He also held bilateral talks with Minister of External Affairs, Prof. G. L Peiris to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

Pix by: Nishanka de Silva