BERLIN: In a significant step towards deepening ties between Sri Lanka and Germany, President Anura Kumara Disanayaka concluded a productive three-day official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany from 11 to 13 June 2025. The visit, undertaken at the invitation of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, marked Disanayaka’s first official engagement in Germany and underscored a mutual commitment to enhancing diplomatic and economic relations.
The visit commenced with a ceremonial welcome at Berlin’s Bellevue Palace, where President Steinmeier received President Disanayaka with a Guard of Honour from the German Armed Forces. Their discussions centred on fortifying the warm bilateral relationship, with a particular emphasis on expanding opportunities in vocational training and tourism. President Disanayaka provided an overview of Sri Lanka’s recent strides in economic stabilisation and reconciliation, outlining future initiatives to sustain this progress.
High-level meetings with German officials further enriched the visit’s agenda. German Foreign Minister Dr. Johann Wadephul engaged with President Disanayaka on advancing bilateral exchanges, boosting German investment, and reinforcing cooperation within the European Union’s GSP+ trade framework. The talks also explored ways to strengthen collaboration in international forums. Similarly, discussions with Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Ms. Reem Alabali-Radovan highlighted Germany’s longstanding support for Sri Lanka, spanning over six decades. President Disanayaka expressed gratitude for projects such as the German-Sri Lanka Friendship Maternity Hospital in Galle and the German Technical Training Institute in Kilinochchi, with both sides exploring avenues to expand vocational education initiatives.
Economic cooperation took centre stage during the visit, with a business forum hosted by the Sri Lanka Embassy in Berlin, the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the German Asia-Pacific Business Association. Addressing the forum at the Chamber’s headquarters, President Disanayaka emphasised Sri Lanka’s commitment to fostering a transparent and investor-friendly environment. “Sri Lanka will create a conducive and transparent investment climate,” he declared, inviting German businesses to capitalise on the nation’s strategic location and development potential.
In parallel, President Disanayaka met with representatives of Germany’s outbound tourism sector to discuss Sri Lanka’s ambitions to bolster its tourism industry while preserving its sustainable character. He outlined plans to address challenges such as workforce development to ensure the sector’s continued growth, alongside opportunities for investment in tourism infrastructure.
The visit also saw productive talks between Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, and Dr. Thomas Steffen, State Secretary of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. Their discussions focused on Sri Lanka’s recent economic progress, enhanced political stability, and efforts to create an attractive environment for investors.
Accompanying President Disanayaka were key figures, including Minister Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Germany Varuni Muthukumarana, Director General for Europe and North America at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sugeeshwara Gunaratna, and Chairman of the Board of Investment Arjuna Herath, among other senior officials.
