Ambassador Karunatilaka Amunugama speaks on ''Transforming Sri Lanka into the 21st century - Environment and People-Friendly Cities'' at the Federal Foreign Office, Berlin
''Sri Lanka's journey during the six years since the dawn of peace has seen the country transform itself from a nation at war to one of the most peaceful, stable and secure democracies in the world. What we need now is look at the future positively with confidence and unite all the communities and move forward for the better future for all," stated by the Sri Lanka Ambassador to Germany Karunatilaka Amunugama.
Ambassador Amunugama made these remarks, when he delivered the keynote speech at the "Sri Lanka Day" of the 10th Asia-Pacific Forum jointly organised by the Federal Foreign Office, Federal Ministry for Economics and Energy, Federal Ministry for Education and Research, Federal Ministry for Cooperation and Development, Senate Department for Economics, Technology and Research Asia -Pacific Business Association(OAV) Asia- Pacific- Forum Berlin e.V, in coordination with Sri Lanka Embassy in Berlin at the Federal Foreign Office, Berlin on 19th May 2015, under the theme of ''Transforming Sri Lanka into the 21st century -Environment and People friendly cities".
He further added that "Sri Lankans are now moving into the future together as one nation, without unnecessary fragmentation into groups based on ethnicity, religion, caste or place of origin. Our Government will continue to ensure that all Sri Lankans have the same opportunities and unobstructed access to state services, and that they are empowered to seek better futures for themselves in a peaceful, stable and rapidly transferring in to functioning democracy. At the same time, because of the geo-strategic importance, Sri Lanka likes to be developed as a service hub not only to the region but also to the entire world. With the globalisation, each country needs to develop its own smart solutions for core issues taken into consideration lifestyle, culture, governance etc.''
In response to the question raised on the developments taken place in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka, Ambassador Amunugama stated that, "After the war, the Government of Sri Lanka has taken huge effort to rebuild the infrastructure of the Northern Province. Road and rail network, communications, restore the life of the war affected people. Germany also supports us in these efforts. For example, currently the German Government constructing a Vocational and Technical College in District the Northern Province where 400 students can be trained at a time."
However, he further said that the new Government of Sri Lanka is making more efforts for the national reconciliation, redistribution of wealth and creating good governance.
Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Asia - Pacific Forum Dr. Rainer Seider made opening remarks, and Head of the South Asia Division of the Federal Foreign Office Ambassador Gunnar Denecke also participated at the event.
Sri Lanka Embassy
Berlin
05th June 2015
