Media Release - Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana participates at 5th Berlin Summit of Agriculture Ministers
On the invitation of the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the Federal Republic of Germany, Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena participated at the 05th Berlin Summit of Agriculture Ministers from 17th to 21st January 2013 in Berlin. For the third time Sri Lanka was represented at this annual event, which was attended by 80 Ministers of Agriculture from all around the world and this time focussing on the topic of responsible investment in agriculture. In his speech held in the Weltsaal at the Federal Foreign Office, the Minister thanked Ilse Aigner, Federal Minister of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, for the invitation extended to him to represent Sri Lanka at this summit.
On the invitation of Welthungerhilfe, a non-denominational and politically independent, non-profit-making and non-governmental aid agency working in the field of development cooperation and emergency relief aid founded in 1962 by then German Federal President Heinrich Lübke, the Chairman of the Sewalanka Foundation of Sri Lanka, Mr. Harsha Navaratne participated at the 50th anniversary of the organization. The event was held under the patronage of president of Germany His Excellency Joachim Gauck. The Federal Foreign Minister of Germany and other dignitaries were also present at the event.
On 11th December 2012, an agreement between the Government of Democratic Socialistic Republic of Sri Lanka and the Government of Federal Republic of Germany was signed in Berlin for the gainful occupation of dependents of members of Diplomatic Missions and Consular Posts of Sri Lanka and Germany.
On the invitation of Professor William S. Sax, Head of the Department of Anthropology of the South Asia Institute of the University of Heidelberg, H.E the Ambassador Sarrath Kongahage visited the South Asia Institute of the University of Heidelberg on the 29th November 2012 accompanied by Consul General Mr. Pradeep Jayawardhane and the Honorary Consul for Sri Lanka in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Mr. Norbert H. Quack. They were received by the eminent Professors of the departments of Anthropology, History, Modern South Asian languages and Literature of the University. Heidelberg University is the 3rd oldest University in Europe, which celebrated its 625th anniversary in the year 2011.
On 24th and 25th November 2012, the Open German Carrom Championship was held in Berlin. The event was organized by the German Carrom Federation. The Singles Championship was held on 24th and the Doubles Championship on 25th November.
During the October festival in Munich, a taxi campaign was launched by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Berlin in collaboration with Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau in Colombo. Purpose of this project was to promote Sri Lanka as a destination for Tourism with unique aspects. The campaign was implemented by the local advertising agency 2 Men Group. October festival is being held annually in Munich, which is visited by millions of people not only from various parts of Germany but from many other neighbouring countries as well. This time it was held from 22nd September to 07th October. Estimation of the visitors of 2012 is 6,9 million.
The Second International Symposium on Development of CBRN – Defence capabilities was held in Berlin from October 22nd to 24th under the auspicious of the German Ministry of Interior and the support of the Federal Ministry of Defence.