Celebrating 60 Years of Bilateral Relations Between Sri Lanka and Germany: Landscapes of Sri Lanka – historical photographic exhibition in Berlin
To mark the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Germany, an exhibition of historical 19th century photographs under the title "Landscapes of Sri Lanka" was inaugurated on 26th September 2013 in Berlin, Germany, by Hon. Minister of National Heritage Dr. Jagath Balasuriya. His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa had a private view of the exhibition on 28th September 2013, when he visited Berlin returning from New York after attending the sixty-eigth session of the General Assembly of the UN. Having been very much impressed with the display, H.E the President commented the remarkable initiative of the Ambassador and the Museum of Asian Art for the remarkable initiative, which brings out the historical connection between the two nations.
On invitation of the Federal President, Mr. Joachim Gauck, the Diplomatic Corps accredited in the Federal Republic of Germany visited the Southern Baden region in the Southwest of Germany. As a member of the delegation of Ambassadors, the Sri Lankan Ambassador Sarrath Kongahage participated in the visit.
To celebrate the 60th Anniversary of commencement of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Germany, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Germany has organised two major events in Berlin.
On 25th August 2013, the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of Germany opened its doors to the German public for an ''Open Day'' under the slogan of '' Developers of the Future'' in order to provide an opportunity to the German public to obtain comprehensive information in both the bilateral relations of Germany with the partner countries and the cultural specifics, typical characteristics and economical and tourism aspects of the partner countries.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Berlin and the Consulate General in Frankfurt have organized a preparatory summit for the CHOGEM Business Forum from 05th to 11th September 2013 in Frankfurt. Fifty leading companies with global recognition will be participating in the summit. Hon. Neomal Perera, Deputy Minister of External Affairs, and Mr. Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Governor of the Central Bank, will be attending the Summit.
On the invitation of Mr. Hans Hammer, Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka to the Free State of Bavaria, Sri Lankan Ambassador H.E. Sarath Kongahage to Germany visited Munich. The focus of the visit was the promotion of investment and tourism in Sri Lanka.
More than 30 Ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps from the Asian and Pacific Region accredited in Germany participated in a luncheon meeting on invitation of the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Berlin, H.E. Sarrath Kongahage held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Berlin. Guest of honour was the President of the German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Dr. Hans-Georg Maaßen.