Ambassador Dr. Felix Neumann

Dear Readers

Today, and every year on 3rd of October, we commemorate the Day of German Unity, the reunification of West and East Germany. Thirty-three years into a unified Germany, the significance of the historic event of German reunification and what it represents remains as clear as day – unity, rule of law, and freedom as well as respect of human rights and democratic values are vital and non-negotiable for a resilient society.

The German people celebrate this special occasion and the unity and freedom it brought with festivity and pomp. Each year, a different region takes a turn hosting the central celebrations for German Unity Day and this year it’s Hamburg! The celebrations will be a nod to Germany’s rich diversity and progress, with culinary specialities and so much more.

As the new German Ambassador to Sri Lanka, it gives me great pleasure to write this message at an exciting time in our bilateral relationship. This year, we celebrate a milestone of our bilateral ties, the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Germany and Sri Lanka. Although our friendship goes back beyond 70 years, on 9th of December 1953, with the handing over of the Credentials by Ambassador Dr. Ahrens, our two countries established official diplomatic relations. I am very much looking forward to further strengthening our relations for the years to come.

On this happy note, the German Embassy is delighted to invite you to a public festival where we want to celebrate this historic moment and our strong ties with the people of Sri Lanka. On the 02nd of December 2023 from 3.00 pm to 9.00 pm there will be music, entertainment as well as German and Sri Lankan food specialties at Galle Face Green.

A strong testimony of our excellent relations is the brand “German Tech” with a history of over 70 years, which continues to provide unique vocational training and many opportunities for the Sri Lankan youth. Ceylon Technical Training Institute is among our many flagship projects and one of our best success stories that speaks to the German excellence as well as our strong partnership with the Sri Lankan government and private sector. Our close ties are also manifested in the areas of tourism, culture, investment, trade etc. In 2022, the value of Sri Lankan exports to Germany exceeded for the first time 1 billion Euro. Germany remains the 4th largest source market for tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka, with a market share of 7%. Europe is the largest source of tourists to Sri Lanka, with an overall market share of 50%.

Let me conclude by underlining that Germany, together with its partners in the European Union, always stands ready to support Sri Lanka for a stable and prosperous future and pave the way for a fast economic recovery.