Total population | |
---|---|
948 (2011) | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Colombo, Negombo, Gampaha, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya [1] | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Korean diaspora |
There are roughly 948 Koreans in Sri Lanka, according to the 2013 statistics of South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade). [2] [1]
The number of Koreans in Sri Lanka was recorded at 854 in 2009, 948 in 2011, and 782 in 2013. [1] [2] [3] Among them were 268 international students studying at Sri Lankan universities, and 514 with other types of visas. The vast majority (513) lived at Colombo, with another 96 in Western Province (namely Negombo and Gampaha), 124 in Central Province (Kandy and Nuwara Eliya), and 49 in other areas. [2]
South Korean Christian missionaries are active in Sri Lanka. They have conducted charitable activities, such as constructing disaster assistance centres. [4] However, their activities to promote religious conversion have also caused conflict with the predominantly Buddhist and Hindu local people. [5] [6]
There is a Korean Association of Sri Lanka, as well as a weekend school for Korean language. [7] The former has organised various public events to inform the public about Korean culture and history, such as a special lecture commemorating the start of the Korean War. [8]
Historically strained, Myanmar's foreign relations, particularly with Western nations, have improved since 2012. Relations became strained once more in 2017 with the Rohingya genocide and due to the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état. Myanmar has generally maintained warmer relations with near states and is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Foreign relations of Sri Lanka refers to the diplomatic and commercial relations between Sri Lanka and other countries. Sri Lanka has stressed its principle of "friendship towards all, enmity towards none" in its diplomacy.
Koreans in Singapore consist mainly of South Korean expatriates. The community formed a population of 21,406 as of 2019, according to South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, making them the world's 18th-largest Korean diaspora community. Their population has grown by about 60% since 2007. Many South Koreans living in Singapore are usually expatriates, consisting of 40-45% of the community, self-employed or Korean business owners consisting of 30% and students consisting of 20%.
Koreans in South Africa form the largest Korean diaspora community on the African continent and the 29th-largest in the world, ahead of Koreans in Spain and behind Koreans in Italy.
Koreans in France numbered 29,367 individuals as of 2014, making them the 3rd-largest Korean diaspora community in Western Europe, according to South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
India–Sri Lanka relations, Indian-Sri Lankan relations, or Indo-Sri Lanka relations, are the bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka. India has emerged as the foremost partner for Sri Lanka in the endeavor to revitalize its economy, reform its bureaucracy, and enhance decision-making processes for future economic collaborations. Both countries have reached an agreement to strengthen their economic and energy ties, signaling a new phase of cooperation and mutual benefits. Only 4% of Sri Lankans have a negative view on India, the lowest of all the countries surveyed by the Ipsos GlobalScan. The two countries are also close on economic terms with India being the island's largest trading partner and an agreement to establish a proto single market also under discussion at an advanced stage. There are deep ethnic and cultural links between the two countries. India and Sri Lanka share a maritime border. India is the only neighbour of Sri Lanka, separated by the Palk Strait; both states occupy a strategic position in South Asia and have sought to build a common security umbrella in the Indian Ocean. Both India and Sri Lanka are republics that are members of the Commonwealth of Nations. India has achieved the distinction of being the initial nation to submit its formal endorsement for the financial assistance and debt restructure proposal of Sri Lanka to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), headquartered in Washington. In a bid to foster and safeguard the Buddhist connections between India and Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi unveiled a grant assistance of USD 15 million during the Virtual Bilateral Summit in September 2020. This financial support is intended for various purposes, including the restoration or establishment of Buddhist monasteries, the education of young monks, the enhancement of interaction among Buddhist scholars and clergy, the establishment of museums dedicated to Buddhist heritage, the facilitation of cultural exchanges, collaborative efforts in archaeology, and the mutual showcasing of The Buddha's relics.
Koreans in Guatemala form one of the newest and fastest-growing Korean diaspora communities in Latin America.
Koreans in Paraguay formed one of the earliest Korean diaspora communities in Latin America. However, they were always overshadowed by the larger Korean communities in neighbouring Brazil and Argentina and since the late 1990s, their population has fallen significantly.
Koreans in Poland do not form a very large population. They consist of both North and South Koreans.
Hungary–Sri Lanka relations are foreign relations between Hungary and Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has an embassy in Vienna, Austria that is accredited to Hungary and has a consul in Budapest Hungary maintains a consulate in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Pakistan–Sri Lanka relations refer to bilateral relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Both countries are located in South Asia. The earliest proper diplomatic and trade contacts between Pakistan and Sri Lanka date back as early as 1948. In 2013, the then prime minister Nawaz Sharif said that there were strong bonds of friendship between the two countries.
Koreans in Mongolia form one of the Korean diaspora communities in Asia. They consist of both North and South Korean expatriates.
Suratissa Diyasena Wijeyeratne was a Sri Lankan politician, diplomat, barrister and businessman. He was also Additional Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs and Defence, and Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister.
There is a small Korean community in India, consisting largely of South Korean expatriate professionals and their families, as well as some missionaries and international students at Indian universities.
Estonia-Sri Lanka relations are foreign relations between Estonia and Sri Lanka. Estonia has an embassy Colombo. Sri Lanka has a non resident embassy in Stockholm. Estonia's 2004 accession to the European Union had a positive effect on bilateral relations with Sri Lanka, since the EU is one of Sri Lanka's biggest donors and trade partners.
There are small number of resident Koreans in the Czech Republic, primarily citizens of South Korea.
Korean Nepalese are the Nepalis who form a small expatriate community consisting mainly of Catholic nuns, volunteers and businesspeople. According to South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, there were 645 South Koreans living in Nepal as of 2013, up by more than 70% from 374 in 2009. There are also known to be some North Koreans doing business in the country.
Koreans in Thailand consist mainly of North Korean refugees and South Korean expatriates, along with a tiny number of South Korean immigrants who have naturalised as citizens of Thailand and their descendants. According to South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in 2013 there were about 20,000 Koreans living in the country.
Visa requirements for Sri Lankan citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Sri Lanka.
As of 2024, Sri Lankan citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 43 countries and territories, ranking the Sri Lankan passport 96th in the world according to the Henley Passport Index.
This has hampered the ability of Sri Lankan business people to travel and connect with peers and maintain a globally competitive outlook.