KOICA SRI LANKA OFFICE MARKS 30 YEARS OF DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP

Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is a government entity, founded in 1991 to maximize the effectiveness of South Korea's grant aid programs.

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Since 1995, KOICA Sri Lanka office has worked hand in hand with the Sri Lankan government and people to foster sustainable development.

A Journey That Began in 1995

KOICA had already been building ties with Sri Lanka even before the agency established its country office in Colombo in 1995 by supporting Korean language education at the Open University, initiating child welfare projects, and dispatching volunteers in various sectors. With the opening of the office, KOICA expanded its projects to areas such as strengthening vocational training institutes and equipping an automotive training laboratory at the Open University. It laid the foundation for a partnership that continued for three decades.

As cooperation deepened, the projects have started to address its most urgent national needs, paving the way for more targeted and impactful initiatives. This approach became especially visible in the wake of the 2004 tsunami, when KOICA stood with the people throughout their recovery efforts. The Mahanama Bridge Rehabilitation Project not only repaired the damaged bridge over the Nilwala River but also built a new crossing to reconnect communities. In the east, the Valachchenai Storm Water Drainage Project installed five major canals, protecting families from floods and strengthening community well-being in a region long affected by waterlogging.