-By LeN Foreign Affairs Correspondent
(Lanka-e-News -15.June.2025, 5.00 PM) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has concluded a pivotal three-day official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany—his first to Europe since assuming office—with a flurry of high-level bilateral engagements, economic forums, and strategic outreach aimed at enhancing Sri Lanka’s global partnerships.
The state visit, which took place from June 11 to 13, was undertaken at the invitation of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and commenced with full ceremonial honours at Bellevue Palace in Berlin. President Dissanayake was greeted by the German Armed Forces Guard of Honour, setting the tone for what diplomatic officials described as a “constructive and forward-looking” series of engagements.
During bilateral discussions, President Steinmeier and President Dissanayake reaffirmed the longstanding and cordial ties between the two nations, with particular focus on leveraging new avenues for economic collaboration. The two leaders discussed opportunities in vocational training, renewable energy, tourism, and development cooperation, while also addressing Sri Lanka’s recent strides in economic recovery and national reconciliation following years of political and fiscal instability.
“Germany has always been a reliable partner in our journey, particularly in areas of sustainable development and skills training,” President Dissanayake remarked. “This visit marks a new chapter in bilateral cooperation, with both sides committed to moving beyond assistance towards meaningful, reciprocal partnerships.”
The President also held separate meetings with Germany’s Federal Foreign Minister Dr. Johann Wadephul and the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Ms. Reem Alabali-Radovan. Talks with Minister Wadephul centred on enhancing German direct investment in Sri Lanka, expanding bilateral trade—especially under the EU’s GSP+ scheme—and strengthening collaboration on multilateral platforms.
Minister Alabali-Radovan, whose department oversees Germany’s development assistance portfolio, noted the enduring value of Colombo–Berlin development cooperation, now in its seventh decade. President Dissanayake, in turn, expressed gratitude for landmark projects such as the German–Sri Lanka Friendship Maternity Hospital in Galle and the German Technical Training Institute in Kilinochchi, both of which remain cornerstones of Germany’s legacy in Sri Lanka’s social sector.
Looking ahead, both sides acknowledged the importance of vocational training and technological education, pledging joint efforts to equip Sri Lanka’s youth with modern skills suited to a globalised economy.
Meanwhile, parallel discussions were held between Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, and Dr. Thomas Steffen, State Secretary at Germany’s Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. These talks concentrated on building a more investor-friendly regulatory environment in Sri Lanka, promoting tourism, and improving macroeconomic fundamentals to attract long-term partnerships.
At the heart of the visit was a business forum jointly hosted by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Berlin, the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), and the German Asia-Pacific Business Association (OAV). Held at the DIHK headquarters, the forum attracted leading German corporate figures and investors. President Dissanayake used the platform to highlight Sri Lanka’s strategic Indian Ocean location, robust logistics potential, and improved political stability.
“We are committed to fostering a transparent, rules-based investment climate where innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability are valued,” the President said. “This is an open invitation to German industry to co-author the next phase of Sri Lanka’s economic transformation.”
With Germany already among Sri Lanka’s top European trading partners, the forum served to deepen commercial interest in sectors such as green energy, digital services, apparel manufacturing, tourism infrastructure, and maritime logistics.
The President also met with Germany’s leading outbound tourism associations in a bid to reinvigorate the tourism corridor between the two countries. He outlined a vision of sustainable and community-driven tourism, underpinned by environmental safeguards, upskilling of personnel, and strategic infrastructure development.
“Tourism is not merely a revenue generator but a cultural bridge,” Dissanayake said. “We intend to preserve the soul of our destinations while expanding their global reach.”
Accompanying the President were Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Germany Varuni Muthukumarana, Director General for Europe and North America Sugeeshwara Gunaratna, Board of Investment Chairman Arjuna Herath, and several senior civil servants.
Observers noted the structured and results-oriented nature of the visit, with emphasis on bilateral deliverables rather than symbolic diplomacy. With European governments closely monitoring Sri Lanka’s post-crisis recovery and economic governance, President Dissanayake’s engagements in Berlin were seen as an opportunity to reposition Sri Lanka as a credible partner in South Asia.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, in a post-visit communiqué from Colombo, described the visit as a “resounding success,” laying the groundwork for deeper political understanding, stronger economic ties, and broader collaboration in human development.
As Sri Lanka seeks to recover its economic footing and international standing, this visit to Berlin signals a clear intent: the island nation is ready to step into a new era of global engagement—on its own terms, with partners who share its democratic values and developmental aspirations.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism
Colombo, 14 June 2025
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by (2025-06-15 11:24:12)
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