Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Labour has signed a five-party memorandum of understanding with South Korean government, education and business institutions to expand cooperation in vocational training, industrial skills and employment development.
The agreement was signed on November 2 at the Changwon Exhibition Convention Center in South Korea, according to an announcement published by Sri Lanka’s Government Information Department on November 4.
Deputy Labour Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe led the Sri Lankan delegation.
Five institutions participate
The agreement involves Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Labour and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.
The South Korean participants are the Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Government, Changshin University and the Sacheon Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The arrangement is intended to connect education and vocational training with industrial workforce requirements.
It also covers occupational safety and institutional cooperation.
The government described potential opportunities for Sri Lankan students to pursue higher education and professional training in South Korea.
Employment and longer-term residence pathways were also identified among the intended areas of cooperation.
Employment numbers remain unspecified
The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between the participating institutions.
The government’s announcement does not identify the number of Sri Lankan workers expected to obtain employment through the arrangement.
It also does not provide a recruitment timetable, list of participating employers or minimum salary conditions.
No figures were disclosed for tuition costs, scholarships or financial assistance for students.
The mention of possible residence opportunities should not be interpreted as an automatic right to permanent residence in South Korea.
Individual immigration and employment arrangements would remain subject to the applicable requirements of South Korean authorities.
Existing university cooperation to be expanded
Sri Lanka already has educational cooperation arrangements involving Changshin University.
The new memorandum is intended to expand those relationships and create additional opportunities involving vocational institutions and industrial employers.
Labour Ministry Secretary S.M. Piyatissa and NIOSH Director General Duminda Jayalath participated in the Sri Lankan delegation.
South Korean representatives included officials from the Gyeongsangnam-do provincial administration, Changshin University and the Sacheon Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The November 4 announcement does not disclose whether the memorandum creates legally enforceable recruitment obligations.
Details of the proposed training programmes, participating companies and employment arrangements will determine the practical opportunities available to Sri Lankan applicants.
Government Information Department, 4 November 2026
