The Sri Lankan Embassy in Berlin marked the 68th Anniversary of the Independence of Sri Lanka on 4th February 2016 with an official ceremony at the Embassy premises followed by a reception in the evening at the Bürgersaal Zehlendorf Community/City Hall in Berlin.

The Sri Lankan Minister of Agriculture Duminda Dissanayke had fruitful discussions with his German counterpart, Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture Christian Schmidt when both met at the Federal Ministry for Food and Agriculture in Berlin on 20th January 2016. Both Ministers agreed on a better cooperation to increase bilateral trade in agricultural products and support the agricultural sector in Sri Lanka. In detail, they discussed the transfer of German expertise and know-how in developing potato seed production system in Sri Lanka, assistance in development of farm machinery for small farm holders, the establishment of paddy, vegetable, fruits seed processing facilities and storage and processing of fruits, vegetables, spices and grains for export.

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Berlin commemorated the first anniversary of the inauguration in office of President Maithripala Sirisena, on 8^th January 2016, with the participation of religious dignitaries representing Buddhists, Hindu, Islam and Christian faiths and also with the representatives of Sri Lanka Associations based in Berlin.

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Berlin held a ceremonial commencement of work for year 2016 on 1st January. The event started with the hoisting of the National Flag by the Charge d’ Affaires a.i. in the presence of the staff, which was followed by the singing of the National Anthem. A two minute silence was observed to commemorate war heroes and others who sacrificed their lives for the motherland. Affirming their commitment, the reading of the oath of public servants was administered by the staff of the Embassy in three languages, Sinhala, Tamil & English.

Mr. Juergen Weerth has assumed responsibilities as the new Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka to North Rhine - Westphalia with consular jurisdiction covering the regions of Bergisches Land, Cologne Lowland, Lower Rhine, Münsterland, North Eifel, Ruhr, Sauerland – Siegerland and Teutoburg Forest. On behalf of Hon. Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, Ambassador Karunatilaka Amunugama handed over the Commission of Appointment to Mr. Juergen Weerth on 18th November 2015 at the Sri Lanka Embassy in Berlin.

The 2nd collective meeting of Sri Lankan Honorary Consuls in Germany chaired by Ambassador Karunatilaka Amunugama was held at the Sri Lanka Honorary Consulate in Munich on 29th July 2015. The first meeting had been held last year in November at Berlin