Sri Lanka has marked a significant milestone in modernizing its shrimp aquaculture industry with the successful completion of the project “Smart and Sustainable Aquaculture through Effective Biosecurity and Digital Technology.” 

The project is implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, with financial support from the Government of the Republic of Korea.

According to the FAO, the four-year initiative has strengthened biosecurity systems, introduced digital innovations, improved food safety, and enhanced technical capacity across Sri Lanka’s shrimp value chain.

A key achievement of the project is the development of Sri Lanka’s National Strategy on Aquatic Animal Health, providing a comprehensive framework to improve disease prevention and management in aquaculture. The strategy is supported by a national aquatic pathogen list, disease profiles for major shrimp diseases, and a nationwide survey covering 699 shrimp farms. GIS-based mapping and farm profiling now enable more targeted disease surveillance, environmental monitoring, and planning. Laboratory capacity for aquatic animal health has also been enhanced, including upgrades to NAQDA facilities and improved access to modern diagnostic equipment.

Speaking on the project, Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Ramalingam Chandrasekar, said, “The successful implementation of this project marks an important milestone for Sri Lanka’s aquaculture sector. By strengthening biosecurity systems and embracing digital technologies, we are enhancing the resilience, productivity, and sustainability of shrimp farming, while safeguarding livelihoods and supporting national development priorities.”

The project also introduced the National Shrimp Industry Information System (SIIS), a digital platform that integrates farm-level and national data to support real-time monitoring and decision-making. Using IoT-enabled sensors, the system captures water quality data and provides early warning alerts, enabling farmers and authorities to respond quickly to emerging risks. All shrimp farms in the Northwestern Province have been mapped under the system, supporting the transition toward a data-driven and responsive aquaculture sector.

Better Management Practices (BMP) for shrimp farming were reviewed and updated to strengthen environmental sustainability and biosecurity. These guidelines have been disseminated widely among farmers and stakeholders, supported by awareness and training programmes.

Speaking on the project, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Miyon Lee, reaffirmed Korea’s commitment to Sri Lanka’s sustainable development as a key development partner and commended FAO’s work to promote sustainable aquaculture in Sri Lanka. The Ambassador noted that Korea’s support will further assist Sri Lanka move toward smarter and more efficient aquaculture systems by introducing digital solutions, and thus contribute to rural livelihoods and food security.

The project also assessed Sri Lanka’s shrimp food safety systems and developed a strategic improvement plan to strengthen regulatory frameworks, laboratory capacity, and compliance with international standards, supporting improved market access and consumer confidence.

Capacity development has been central to the project’s success. A total of 450 shrimp farmers and 190 government officials were trained in areas including disease diagnostics, water quality monitoring, biosecurity, and digital data management.

To support these efforts, the project provided approximately USD 128,000 worth of equipment, including water quality monitoring systems, laboratory diagnostic tools, and IT infrastructure to strengthen field and laboratory operations.

Speaking on the project, FAO Representative for Sri Lanka, Vimlendra Sharan, said, “Through this initiative, Sri Lanka has strengthened its capacity to manage aquaculture in a more integrated and data-driven manner. The introduction of the SIIS platform, alongside improved biosecurity and technical capacity, provides a strong foundation for building a resilient and sustainable shrimp industry.”

The project’s achievements contribute to strengthening Sri Lanka’s shrimp aquaculture sector by integrating improved governance, science-based decision-making, and digital innovation. Continued collaboration between FAO, the Government of Sri Lanka, and development partners will be essential to sustain these gains and support long-term growth, improved livelihoods, and enhanced food security. (Newswire)

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The Government of Korea and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have launched a new $4.7 million initiative to improve municipal solid waste management in Sri Lanka, aiming to deliver low-carbon, inclusive, and climate-resilient solutions.

Funded by Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment through the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute (KEITI), the three-year project—“Scale-up and Sustain the Low-Carbon Municipal Solid Waste Management and Resource Recovery in Sri Lanka”—will be implemented by UNDP Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government.

The project targets two local authorities in the Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces with demonstration sites in Gampola and Balangoda. Technologies such as anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, and vermicomposting will be deployed to reduce over 269,000 metric tons of CO₂-equivalent emissions over a 10-year period.

Strategic waste management planning will also be expanded to four provinces—Northwestern, Central, Sabaragamuwa, and Southern—with a focus on decentralized systems, green financing, digital innovation, and gender inclusion.

Sri Lanka produces over 10,000 tons of municipal solid waste daily, with only half collected and minimal amounts properly treated. The initiative aims to address systemic gaps in technology, funding, and institutional capacity, especially in the wake of recent disasters like Cyclone Ditwah.

Korean and UNDP officials emphasized the project’s role in reducing emissions, strengthening local institutions, creating green jobs, and advancing Sri Lanka’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) says a total of 3,712 young Sri Lankan men and women left for employment opportunities in South Korea during the year 2025. 

According to the SLBFE, 54 youths, including 06 women, qualified for jobs in South Korea’s manufacturing sector departed on SriLankan Airlines flight UL 470 on Tuesday (16). 

This group is recorded as the 939th batch of Sri Lankans to secure employment in South Korea.

Recently, there has been a growing trend of young women also seeking employment in South Korea. Accordingly, 132 women have departed for jobs there in 2025.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding between the SLBFE and the Human Resources Development Service of Korea, these job opportunities are provided under the E‑9 visa category. Employment is available in manufacturing, construction, fisheries, agriculture, and service sectors.

Beneficiaries are permitted to stay in South Korea for a period of 4 years and 10 months. After completing the stipulated period and returning to Sri Lanka, workers are allowed to re‑enter South Korea. (Newswire)

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Former Minister Manusha Nanayakkara has sent a Letter of Demand (LOD) to the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) Kosala Wickramasinghe regarding the latter’s accusations related to the Korean E8 visa system.

In his letter, former Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara points out that during an interview with local media, Kosala Wickramasinghe had hinted at financial fraud linked to the former minister. 

Alleging that the SLBFE Chairman had caused significant damage to his reputation, former Minister Manusha Nanayakkara has sent an LOD seeking Rs. 01 billion compensation.

Furthermore, former minister Nanayakkara has also called on Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath to conduct an investigation into the false allegations levelled against him regarding the Korean E8 visa system.

In a letter to the Foreign Minister, Manusha Nanayakkara said that allegations that he had monetarily benefitted under the visa system had caused severe damage to his political and personal reputation. 

Manusha Nanayakkara has initiated action after the SLBFE revealed it has received several complaints regarding individuals who have defrauded money by promising employment under the Korean E8 visa category.

LOD to SLBFE Chairman (Newswire)

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The Korean Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Association has expressed its commitment to supporting Sri Lanka in advancing the agriculture sector and enhancing related employment opportunities.

Additionally, the association has agreed to provide technical assistance and training resources essential for the development of the fishing industry.

These topics were highlighted during a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat today (Nov 13) between a delegation from the Korean SME Association and officials from the President’s Office.

The discussions also focused on training Sri Lankan workers locally for Korea’s fishing industry and creating employment opportunities for them.

The delegation was led by Kim Chung Ryong, President of the Korean SME Association. (Newswire)

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SriLankan Airlines and Korean Air have officially activated a new codeshare partnership effective from Friday, March 15, 2024, presenting enhanced travel options and connections for customers of both airlines travelling between Colombo and Seoul. 

According to the Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines, Richard Nuttall this is the first-ever codeshare partnership with Korean Air.

“We are delighted to launch our first-ever codeshare partnership with Korean Air, and boost the connectivity between Colombo and Seoul. The passenger traffic between the two cities continues to exceed our expectations, and the partnership will only help us grow our presence in this route in a manner that is fast and economical for the airline, and give more reasons for customers to choose SriLankan Airlines,” he said.

The new partnership enables SriLankan Airlines to codeshare flights operated between Singapore and Seoul Incheon by Korean Air, making it possible for passengers to travel on a single, SriLankan Airlines ticket between Colombo and Incheon via Singapore. At the same time, Korean Air will codeshare on flights operated by SriLankan Airlines between Colombo and the cities of Seoul Incheon; Singapore; Chennai in India; and Male in the Maldives. 

SriLankan Airlines currently operates a twice-weekly direct service between Colombo and Incheon. With SriLankan Airlines tapping into Korean Air’s extensive Far Eastern network through codeshare collaboration, passengers of SriLankan now have the choice of daily flights between Colombo and Seoul via Singapore. 

Passengers of Korean Air also gain access to SriLankan Airlines’ high-powered network in the Indian Subcontinent. SriLankan Airlines has India and the Maldives covered coast-to-coast. The airline operates nearly 100 flights a week across nine Indian cities and 23 flights a week to the Maldives. This includes triple daily plus flights between Colombo and Chennai and triple-daily flights between Colombo and Male.   

The codeshare flights are available for sale through the online reservation systems and sales offices of SriLankan Airlines and Korean Air, and external online and offline travel agencies. Customers of both airlines can take advantage of the multiple flight options as well as seamless connections afforded by the convenience of a single ticket on multi-sector journeys, which includes through check-in and baggage transfer.

The commencement of the codeshare partnership between SriLankan Airlines and Korean Air marks a milestone in enhancing connectivity between Sri Lanka and South Korea. With increased flight choices, streamlined connections, and improved market presence, both airlines are poised to deliver an enhanced travel experience for passengers while fostering stronger ties between the two nations. (NewsWire)

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The Cabinet has agreed to revise the Memorandum of Understanding with South Korea for the implementation of the Community Based Tourism Development Project focusing on the Central, North and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka. 

Cabinet approval was granted in January 2023 to enter into a MoU between the Korean Tourism Organization and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority for the implementation of a pilot project related to the implementation of a community-based tourism development project, focusing on the Central, Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka.

The Government said the pilot project related to the implementation of a community-based tourism development project was to be launched under a grant of 2.172 billion Korean Won. 

The implementation of the full project was planned based on the success of the pilot project. 

However, representatives of the Korean Tourism Organization who had visited the respective provinces had agreed to start the entire planned project at once, instead of implementing a pilot project. 

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers focused its attention on the measures taken to reach a revised agreement between the two parties to implement the project and agreed to proceed accordingly. (NewsWire)

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South Korea will further increase the recruitment of Sri Lankans by giving more opportunities to skilled workers with knowledge of Korean Language, the Minister of Labour & Employment of the Republic of Korea, Lee Jungsik said.

Minister Lee Jungsik stated that South Korea has doubled the recruitment of Sri Lankan employees this year.

The South Korean Minister made the remarks when he called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees yesterday (Sep 14).

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, a delegation of senior officials and Korean Ambassador Lee Miyon also participated in the meeting.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister Gunawardena thanked the Korean Government for generous development assistance for several sectors including health, agriculture, education and Information Technology. 

Thanking the Minister for his plan to recruit more Sri Lankan workers, the Prime Minister urged further assistance for youth skill development programmes and teaching of Korean language.

Minister Lee Jungsik, said his government would consider those proposals favourably and he plans to visit some of the Sri Lankan institutions and universities where Korean language is taught during his current visit.

“Sri Lanka, indeed, is the Pearl of the Indian Ocean and you have tremendous potential to attract tourists,” the Korean Minister said, adding that Korean investors should increase investments in the hospitality sector in Sri Lanka.

State Ministers Janaka Wakkumbura and Ashoka Priyantha, MP Yadamini Gunawardena, Ambassador of Korea Lee Miyon, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mahinda Gunaratne, Director General of Korea Labour Ministry, Kim Eunchul and senior officials were also present on this occasion. (NewsWire)

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