Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Germany, Karunatilaka Amunugama met the State Secretary Markus Ederer at the Federal Foreign Office today (23rd February 2015) to brief him on steps that have been taken by the current Government to establish good governance, national reconciliation, strengthening democratic institutions and the rule of law in Sri Lanka. In response, State Secretary Ederer stated that the positive developments in Sri Lanka are being keenly observed by the German Government.
State Secretary Ederer informed that the Ambassador the German Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Ambassador Peter Prügel would be visiting Sri Lanka next month and expressed his confidence that Ambassador Prügel's visit to Sri Lanka would open new era in bilateral relations. He further added that his Government looks forward to working with the new Government on Technical Cooperation and other areas of mutual interest and awaiting the recommendations of Ambassador Prügel after his forthcoming visit to Sri Lanka.
Regarding the invitation extended to the Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera by the German Federal Foreign Minister Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the State Secretary said that he would brief his Minister on the new developments in Sri Lanka and looked forward to the next of the Sri Lankan foreign Minister of Germany at an early date.
Ambassador Amunugama further stated that the issues pertaining to the two German Political Foundations, Friefdrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) have been resolved and there is no impediment to the two foundations to continue their work in Sri Lanka While acknowledging the long standing service provided by the two foundations in promoting bilateral relations in a wide range of fields, Ambassador Amunugama invited the German authorities to re-commence their activities at the earliest.
Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Ambassador Peter Prügel, Desk Officer for Sri Lanka Fabian Richter of the Federal Foreign Office, Deputy Chief of Mission Chaminda Colonne and First Secretary R. Kohularangn of the Sri Lanka Embassy participated in the discussion.
Sri Lanka Embassy
Berlin
23rd February 2015
