Sri Lanka-Germany relations have ‘excellence’ written all over it
The Sri Lanka Government now has excellent relationship with Germany, the country’s departing ambassador said last week. “We have seen changes in Sri Lanka that we never thought was possible and all of a sudden during the past 18 months Sri Lanka turned around and reached out to Germany politically,” said Ambassador Dr. Jurgen Morhard at the recent discussion in Colombo on “Top German Brands in Sri Lanka”. The event marked the end of his 4-year tenure in Sri Lanka. The Ambassador said that business between the two countries has been growing from Rs.600-900 million during the past four years and that has a good potential for future development. “We are working on it and want to do much more like what the government wants do.”
He said the setting up of the German Sri Lanka Technical Institute in Kilinochchi was a milestone. “The German Tec brought skills and knowledge when it first came to Sri Lanka. The School at Kilinochchi is open to anybody from any part of the country and I am happy to say that 25 per cent of the student applicants are girls and 20 per cent of the applicants are from other parts of the country including those from Matara and the South.” The Ambassador said he was happy that a Sri Lanka –German Friendship committee was set up in Parliament recently. Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade, Malik Samarawickrema said that Sri Lanka has an excellent relationship with Germany following the election of a new government.
The minister said that he has a special affiliation for Germany where he received his initial training in the apparel industry in Hamburg. “We all know that Germans are perfectionists and that’s the lesson we must learn from them.” He said he was privileged to supply textiles to Germany when in the private sector. “Germany is recognised as the best when it comes to technology, skills development or in education. In every sphere life we can take an example from Germany. Our government is doing the best to change the mindset of our people and is being done gradually. Referring to business, he said the business community has to take the initiative to promote business. “They should go over to Germany and make contact with the business community and bring back business to Sri Lanka.”