Germany's Volkswagen has been trying set up a plant to produce vehicles for export for years but had not succeeded due to unspecified reasons, a statement quoted the German envoy to Colombo as saying. German ambassador Juergen Morhard who had met deputy economic affairs minister Harsha de Silva Monday had said the country looked forward to becoming a friendly partner to Sri Lanka. The ambassador was quoted as saying though Volkswagen, the second largest car maker in the world, "had strived since 2008 to start up a business to manufacture cars in Sri Lanka for export, it did not succeed for various reasons."

Foreign Minister Samaraweera with Belgian Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Didier Reynders. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mangala Samaraweera, concluded a two day official visit to Brussels today. Foreign Minister Samaraweera met Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Didier Reynders and members of the European Parliament. He also held talks with the European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs & Fisheries, Mr. Karmenu Vella, and the European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Mr. Neven Mimica.

Pope Francis who arrived in the country on January 13 said that he hoped every word and action of Sri Lankan political and religious leaders will make a lasting contribution to the material and spiritual progress of all the Sri Lankans. Speaking at the Bandaranaike International Airport upon his arrival, the Pope said that promoting human dignity and respect for human rights was also essential as well as improving infrastructures and material needs.

The European Union (EU) says it is looking forward to working with President Maithripala Sirisena to further develop its relations with Sri Lanka.

EU High Representative and Vice-President Federica Mogherini said the EU will continue to support Sri Lanka in its development as a prosperous and inclusive democracy for the benefit of all its citizens.

The good governance that is the hope and great expectation of everyone could be realized by the political leadership and the public service working in an exemplary manner, in carrying out all their responsibilities, said President Maithripala Sirisena when he began his duties at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (12).

Maithripala Sirisena was sworn in as the 6th Executive President before Justice K. Sri Pawan at a ceremony held at the Independence Square in Colombo amidst the blessings of religious leaders.

It was a historic moment as the Leader of the opposition Ranil Wickremasinghe too was sworn in as Sri Lanka's Prime Minister before President Maithripala Sirisena. In his speech the new President said that during the period of this election the state media ignoring media ethics violated all election guidelines. He said that no other President would have encountered such character assassinations and mudslinging campaigns from state media as he did. He pointed out that a political culture should be set out to encompass the deep-rooted, well-established political traits that are characteristic of a society. The President emphasized that he would take all measures possible to fulfil the pledges given in the manifesto thus bringing prosperity among the nation.

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