A state-of-the-art Electronic Korean Language Examination Centre, equipped with modern facilities and smart devices such as tablets, was officially opened today (22) in Thalahena under the patronage of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra.

The new centre, known as the Korean Language Examination Center Ubiquitous-based Test (UBT), has been established to conduct Korean language proficiency tests required for employment opportunities in South Korea under the EPS programme.

The initiative follows a decision by South Korea’s Human Resources Development Service (HRD Korea) to introduce tablet-based examinations starting in 2025. The centre was established at the request of HRD Korea to expand capacity and efficiency, allowing a larger number of candidates to take the tests at once.

The South Korean government has provided the tablets necessary for the examinations. The facility can accommodate 100 candidates per session and up to 400 candidates per day.

Under the E-9 visa category, the Korea Employment Programme has been implemented in Sri Lanka since 2004 through an agreement between the governments of Sri Lanka and South Korea. The programme is operated locally by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE).

Appearing for the Korean language test is a mandatory requirement for job seekers applying for employment in South Korea. Sri Lanka first introduced computer-based Korean language testing in 2014, with the initial test centre located in Pannipitiya.

A total of 36,745 candidates are expected to sit for the 2025 Korean language examination, which will begin tomorrow (October 23) and continue until March 2026 at the new Thalahena centre.

The term Ubiquitous-based Test (UBT) refers to an electronic testing system conducted using smart devices such as tablets, which allows flexible administration across different locations. It serves as a modern alternative to paper-based or conventional computer-based testing (CBT) methods and is widely used for exams such as EPS-TOPIK.

South Korean Ambassador to Sri Lanka Miyon Lee, SLBFE Chairman Kosala Wickramasinghe, General Manager D.D.P. Senanayake, and HRD Korea Resident Director Lee Hyewon were among those present at the opening ceremony.