Korea donates half a million dollars worth of PCR test kits and machines to SL

Under the ‘Stay Strong’ campaign, Republic of Korea Ambassador Santhush Woonjin Jeong, at a ceremony held in the Foreign Ministry on October 4, 2021, handed over a donation of US $ 500,000, which includes PCR test kits and PCR test machines to the Sri Lankan government. 

Jeong expressed his thankfulness towards Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage and the Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka for organising a wonderful event for the donation and highly appreciated the close anti-COVID cooperation with State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana and the Health Ministry.

Prior to the handing over ceremony, Jeong and State Minister Prof. Jayasumana engaged in a short meeting. Prof. Jayasumana was grateful to the Korean government and Korean Embassy for the generous contribution to support COVID-19 response efforts of the Government of Sri Lanka. 

This donation is significant of Korea’s continuing commitment to promote the bilateral public health cooperation with Sri Lanka. This goodwill gesture will undoubtedly be remembered and valued forever by the people of Sri Lanka. 

Jeong appreciated the close public health collaboration between Korea and Sri Lanka. He mentioned since his arrival in Sri Lanka last July, Korea and Sri Lanka have been strengthening anti-COVID collaboration with each other. 

While commending Sri Lanka for the effective national response to contain COVID-19, he emphasised the importance of mutual public health cooperation between Korea and Sri Lanka as part of the global effort to combat COVID-19. Jeong assured his unwavering commitment to Sri Lanka as a true friend for the benefit of the people in both countries. 

He stated, “The Korean Government wishes to extend its fullest support and cooperation in coordinating the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Prof. Colombage extended his sincere gratitude to Jeong for the friendship shared by Korea with Sri Lanka and thanked the Government of Korea and Korean Embassy in Sri Lanka for the continued assistance in the battle against COVID-19 in Sri Lanka.

Under the Stay Strong campaign, in partnership with UNICEF, the Korean government handed over US $ 230,000 worth of anti-COVID-19 face masks to the Health Ministry in July. 

Last year, Korea donated PCR test kits amounting to the sum of US $ 300,000. The Korean government has increased its support to Sri Lanka by donating emergency medical items such as PCR test kits and PCR test machines amounting to the sum of US $ 500,000 to combat COVID-19 this year.

Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals State Minister’s Secretary Dr. R.M.S.K. Rathnayake, Foreign Ministry East Asia Division Director General Rohana Ambagolla, senior officials of the Foreign Ministry, Health Ministry and Embassy of the Republic of Korea, including First Secretary Lim Miyeon, were present at the event.