German Embassy eases travel advisory on Sri Lanka We will encourage German tourists to visit SL - Ambassador Seubert

Pic by Samantha Perera

• The German Technical Cooperation - GTZ through its Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development - BMZ (Germany) unveiled several projects and handed them over to the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) at an estimated cost of Euros 8 million

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana reporting from Wilpattu

German Ambassador to Sri Lanka Holger Seubert said he will personally encourage German tourists to visit Sri Lanka, as it’s tourists what SL urgently needs at the moment.

Ambassador Seubert said that the embassy has just eased the travel advisory on Sri Lanka and would invite German and European tourists to visit the beautiful island nation and its national parks.
The envoy was taking part in a two-day progress review tour in the Wilpattu National Park last week, where the German Technical Cooperation - GTZ through its Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development - BMZ (Germany) unveiled several projects and handed them over to the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) at an estimated cost of Euros 8 million.

“Today you see a proud German Ambassador who has witnessed that every rupee of the 8 million euros funded by the German Government has been well spent in these projects in the Wilpattu National Park and how they were helpful in facilitating the DWC and Ministry of Wildlife,” he said. The envoy unveiled a fully fledged beat office for the DWC and a resting area for  tourists in the forest and a hanging bridge over the Kala Oya at the Kumbukgaha wala entrance of the WNP in Eluwankulama.

The Ambassador further emphasized how important it is for the national parks of a country to be in good condition to attract tourists.

“Developing national parks is very important because this country needs tourists. I know many tourists visit Anuradhapura and the cultural triangle and Wilpattu is close by. I take this message to the German speaking community in Sri Lanka and tourists to visit WNP,” Envoy Seubert further said.