South Korean PM begins Sri Lanka visit

Jung-Hong-wonColombo, Aug 28 : South Korean Prime Minister Chung Hong-won arrived in Sri Lanka Wednesday for an official visit aimed at boosting relations and investment.

The three-day official visit Aug 28-30 will also see the prime minister visiting new areas of development in the island including a visit to the freshly expanded Colombo port, which is now the deepest harbour in South Asia, Xinhua reported citing a South Korean embassy statement.

This is the first official visit of a South Korean prime minister to Sri Lanka since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1977.

The visit is a direct follow-up to the discussions at a summit-level meeting held by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his South Korean counterpart during the former's state visit to Seoul in April 2012.

Prime Minister Chung is scheduled to participate in the 'Korea-Sri Lanka Environmental Cooperation Forum' Thursday.

The South Korean embassy said the prime minister's official visit to Sri Lanka is expected to further improve the relationship between the two countries, especially in the field of economic development, energy and environment cooperation. (IANS)