The flagship luxury passenger ship MS Amadea, operated by a German travel company, arrived at Galle Port today, bringing nearly 900 visitors to Sri Lanka as part of its ongoing world tour.

The vessel, registered under the flag of the Bahamas, carried 580 passengers and 315 crew members, with the majority of tourists being German nationals. 

The ship is currently on a 146‑day global voyage that began in Germany in December 2025.

Measuring 193 meters in length and featuring eight decks, the Amadea offers all “outside cabins” with private balconies, underscoring its reputation as a premier luxury liner.

Passengers were scheduled to visit Galle Fort, Hikkaduwa, Rumassala, Koggala, and Ahangama. However, rough seas prevented the safe use of small boats, prompting the ship to depart for Colombo Port instead.

The Amadea is also widely recognized in Germany as the official filming vessel for the popular television series Das Traumschiff (“The Dream Ship”), adding cultural significance to its visit. (Newswire)

The post Germany’s Iconic “Dream Ship” MS Amadea arrives in Sri Lanka appeared first on Newswire.

The German president on Tuesday sharply criticized US President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and his launch of an “illegal” war against Iran, Anadolu reports.

“In my opinion, this war is a violation of international law,” Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in a speech at the German Foreign Ministry.

“There is little doubt that the justification of an imminent attack on the US is invalid — a view also shared by many in the American bureaucracy,” he added, apparently referring to recent resignations over the controversial war.

Steinmeier, who previously served as foreign minister and helped negotiate the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, said Trump’s decision in 2018 to unilaterally abandon the agreement and later pursue military action instead was the wrong path to resolving the standoff.

“This war is a politically disastrous mistake, and what frustrates me most is that this is a truly avoidable, unnecessary war if its goal was to stop Iran on its path to developing a nuclear bomb,” Steinmeier said in his strongest public criticism to date of the ongoing conflict.

He also cited then-US Secretary of State John Kerry’s 2015 remarks highlighting the historical significance of the agreement with Iran, which said that the nuclear deal had averted a military confrontation the US would otherwise have been forced to pursue.

“We were never as far from Iran acquiring nuclear weapons as we were after the agreement was concluded on July 14, 2015,” Steinmeier said. “However, in the second year of his first term, President Trump withdrew from this agreement. And in his second term, he is now waging war,” he added. (Middle East Monitor)

The post US-Israel war against Iran is ‘violation of international law’ – German president appeared first on Newswire.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has strongly criticised U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump and urged the world not to let the world order disintegrate into a “den of robbers” where the unscrupulous take what they want.

In unusually strong remarks, which appeared to refer to actions such as the ousting of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro at the weekend, the former foreign minister said global democracy was being attacked as never before.

Although the German president’s role is largely ceremonial, his words carry some weight and he has more freedom to express views than politicians.

Describing Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine as a watershed, Steinmeier said the U.S. behaviour represented a second historic rupture.

“Then there is the breakdown of values by our most important partner, the USA, which helped build this world order,” Steinmeier said in remarks at a symposium late on Wednesday.

“It is about preventing the world from turning into a den of robbers, where the most unscrupulous take whatever they want, where regions or entire countries are treated as the property of a few great powers,” he said.

On Thursday, a poll for public broadcaster ARD indicated 76% of Germans surveyed now felt the United States was not a partner that Germany could rely on, an increase of three percentage points since June 2025. Only 15% felt Germany could now trust the United States, the lowest level recorded in the regular survey of attitudes.

By contrast roughly three-quarters felt they could rely on France and Britain.

The survey found 69% of Germans concerned about security in Europe, about the same number that thought NATO partners could not rely on the protection of the United States, the strongest member of the alliance. (Reuters)

The post German president says US is destroying world order appeared first on Newswire.

Germany and Sri Lanka today signed a bilateral debt restructuring agreement, marking a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s efforts to achieve debt sustainability and advance its economic recovery.

The agreement was signed by Chargé d’affaires of the German Embassy, Sarah Hasselbarth, on behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany, and Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka.

Announcing the agreement, the German Embassy in Colombo said that the bilateral deal reflects the strong relations between Germany and Sri Lanka and underscores Germany’s commitment to supporting sustainable solutions for long‑term stability in Sri Lanka.  

The German Embassy further said that Germany continues to stand as a reliable partner in fostering international cooperation. (Newswire)

The post Germany, Sri Lanka ink bilateral debt restructuring deal appeared first on Newswire.

A special cargo aircraft carrying 69,000 kilograms of disaster relief supplies worth 5 million euros from Germany and Luxembourg, both member states of the European Union, arrived at Katunayake International Airport early this morning (17).

It is reported that the consignment includes tents, kitchen equipment for cooking, mats, and water purification units as part of the large relief package.

The Boeing 747 cargo aircraft transporting the aid landed at Katunayake Airport at 4:30 a.m. today, having departed from Leipzig, Germany.

To receive the consignment, Germany’s Deputy Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Sarah Haselbarth, EU representative Pierre Tripon, and officials from Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre were present at Katunayake Airport. (Newswire)

The post €5 Mn EU Disaster Relief arrives in Sri Lanka on special cargo flight appeared first on Newswire.

A Sri Lankan delegation recently concluded a one-week technical visit to Germany aimed at developing a sustainable sewage sludge management concept for a Board of Investment (BOI) industrial zone.

The visit, organized by the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) under the Export Initiative Environmental Protection (EXI), was funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN).

Held from 6 to 10 October 2025 in Stuttgart and Karlsruhe, the program brought together four BOI officials and two private sector representatives for an intensive capacity-building and knowledge-sharing mission.

Throughout the week, participants engaged with leading German research institutions, experts, and technology providers, exploring innovative and environmentally responsible approaches to wastewater and sewage sludge management.

Key visits included the Main Sewage Treatment Plant Stuttgart-Mühlhausen, the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology (IGB), the Institute for Sanitary Engineering, Water Quality and Waste Management (ISWA) at the University of Stuttgart, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), and the Renningen Sewage Treatment Plant Moreover, Thermo-System, a German high-quality provider for solar sludge drying introduced the delegates to their world-class technology.

Through on-site demonstrations and discussions, the delegation gained practical insights into sludge drying, phosphorus recovery, and circular economy applications, which could support Sri Lanka’s move toward cleaner and more efficient industrial wastewater and sewage sludge treatment systems.

“This visit provided valuable exposure to German expertise and innovation, offering a foundation for adapting sustainable sewage sludge management models in Sri Lanka,” said Sabrina Kolb, Project Manager at AHK Sri Lanka.

AHK Sri Lanka expressed its appreciation to all partner organizations, including Baden-Württemberg Ministry for the Environment, Climate and Energy Sector, Chambers for GreenTech, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) Stuttgart (IHK Stuttgart), engineering4environment, and Zukunft – Umwelt – Gesellschaft (ZUG) gGmbH for their collaboration and support.

This initiative highlights the growing partnership between Germany and Sri Lanka in promoting environmental sustainability, knowledge transfer, and green industrial development. 

About the Export Initiative Environmental Protection:

Since 2016, the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) has used its Export Initiative Environmental Protection to fund projects supporting knowledge transfer and the application of German environmental and resource efficiency technologies, with a focus on emerging economies and developing countries. 

Global environmental protection and climate action can only succeed if the necessary infrastructure is available and supported by legal, policy and administrative frameworks. (Newswire)

The post Sri Lankan delegation completes Germany visit on sludge management appeared first on Newswire.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Wednesday talked about India’s growing importance in global politics and trade, stating that for Germany, “India equals Asia”, and for India, Germany is equivalent to Europe.

He made the remarks during his two-day official visit to New Delhi, where he held bilateral talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on trade, security, and global challenges.

Explaining Germany’s view of India’s role in Asia, Wadephul said Berlin values New Delhi as a crucial partner in shaping the future of the global order.

While adressing a joint press conference with EAM Jaishankar, Wadephul said, “India equals Asia for us and Germany and the European Union in a way are equivalent for India. India plays a very important part, and though we both have our own political positions and political priorities but when it comes to democratic principles and regulatory steps, both our countries and both our markets tend to be very diligent and adherent to certain details”.

He further noted that both countries need to make it easier for each other to engage in their respective markets.

“Sometimes, we could make it easier for the other side to engage in the respective market, and we’ve underlined that in our discussions today, and I think we both have our homework to do in that regard,” the German minister added.

Wadephul also reaffirmed Germany’s support for India in its fight against terrorism, stressing that New Delhi has every right to defend its people.

“When it comes to India defending itself against terrorism, Germany continues to be firmly at your side,” he said.

The German Foreign Minister said both India and Germany share concerns about defending the international rules-based order, particularly in the context of China’s rise.

He explained that while China is a partner in areas such as climate protection, it is also seen as a competitor and a systemic rival but also stressed that they dont want that “rivalry” with China.

“We agree with India and many other countries that we need to defend the international rules-based order and that we also have to defend it against China… Germany, like the European Union, has a clear position regarding China. For us, China is a partner in some areas, think of climate protection. It is clear and obvious that we won’t be able to address these issues and problems without China. We also view China as a competitor. We compete against China in a number of areas, our business does, our economy does. We place value on having fair competition and equal rules. But we also see China as a systemic rival and we don’t want that rivalry,” Wadephul said.

He added that the number of areas where China has chosen a confrontational approach is increasing.

“Therefore, we have to respond in some of these areas, amongst them are areas where we have to defend our markets against China,” he said.

On the Ukraine conflict, Wadephul welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the SCO summit earlier this week.

He said Germany expects India to use its ties with Moscow to push for peace. “Prime Minister Modi, when he met with President Putin a couple of days ago, also pointed to the need for a speedy peace agreement in Ukraine, which has been important to us. We Europeans are doing our best, working with our American and Ukrainian friends to ensure that this war ends soon,” Wadephul said.

He added that while India and Europe may not always agree fully, open discussions on the matter are important.

“I know that we don’t always see 100% eye to eye with our Indian friends, and this is why I spoke out in favour today that India uses its relations with Russia to point to the need to make peace return to Europe and I’m grateful for the open discussion we had here today. Peace is the basis for security, freedom, and prosperity. Security is and will remain a challenge for the future. We are pleased that in the vicinity of India too a ceasefire has come to apply,” the minister said.

During the SCO summit, PM Modi and President Putin had held bilateral discussions on strengthening the India-Russia “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership,” including the latest developments concerning Ukraine.

Wadephul also praised India’s leadership in new technologies, pointing to its hosting of the upcoming AI Summit. He said it reflects New Delhi’s ambition to be a global frontrunner in innovation.

“India is going to host the next AI Summit. It is a demonstration of India’s ambition and claim to be in the vanguard among the frontrunners in the area of new technology too,” he said.

On trade, Wadephul stressed that India is already Germany’s biggest partner in South Asia, and Berlin is looking to double the current trade volume.

“With little under 31 billion euros of trade, India is our most important trading partner. We aim to double that and I’m pleased to see that India takes a similarly positive and optimistic view of the chances for that,” he added.

Further, Jaishankar also emphasised the significance of the India-Germany relationship, stating that Germany, as the largest country in the European Union, plays a central role in India’s global calculations, adding that for New Delhi, “this is an enormously important relationship.” (ANI)

The post For Germany ‘India Equals Asia’, Says German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul appeared first on Newswire.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is on an official visit to Germany, is scheduled to attend a meeting with representatives of Germany’s Tourism and Travel Industry Associations in Berlin today (13 June).

According to the President’s Office, following this engagement, the President will participate in a Business Forum organised by the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce, to be held at its headquarters in Berlin.

President Dissanayake is also expected to hold bilateral discussions this afternoon with Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Reem Alabali-Radovan, in Berlin.

In the afternoon, the President is further scheduled to meet with members of the Sri Lankan community residing in Germany.

Accompanying the President on this official visit are the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Herath and a delegation of senior government officials, all of whom will participate in these engagements. (Newswire)

The post President’s German visit : Schedule for day 3 appeared first on Newswire.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake arrived at Berlin Brandenburg International Airport, commencing his official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany.

An official welcome ceremony hosted by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is scheduled for this afternoon at Bellevue Palace in Berlin, followed by official talks between the two leaders, the President’s Media Division said.

The President is accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijith Herath, and a delegation of senior government officials. (Newswire)

The post President arrives in Germany appeared first on Newswire.

The all-party delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad to Germany met senior representatives from German Government, Parliament (Bundestag) and Think-Tanks to convey India’s principled position of ‘Zero-Tolerance against Terrorism’ and its strategy to tackle cross-border terrorism, especially in light of the dastardly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, the Indian Embassy in Germany said in a statement on Friday.

“During its first day of engagements in Berlin, the All-Party Parliamentary Delegation, led by Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Hon’ble Member of Parliament & former Union Minister, met with senior representatives from German Government, Parliament (Bundestag) and Think-Tanks to convey India’s principled position of ‘Zero-Tolerance against Terrorism’ and its strategy to tackle cross-border terrorism, especially in light of the dastardly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. The delegation also briefed the German counterparts and interlocutors about Operation Sindoor – India’s firm, precise, targeted and non-escalatory response to the terror attack”, the statement said.

As per the statement, the delegation called on Johann Wadephul, Foreign Minister of Federal Republic of Germany. Recalling his recent interaction with Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar, Wadephul reiterated Germany’s strong support for India’s fight against terrorism and the right of every nation to defend itself from such terror attacks.

The statement observed that the delegation deeply appreciated Germany’s strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack and expression of solidarity with India. The delegation also emphasized the need to hold the perpetrators of terrorist acts accountable and called for multi-lateral cooperation in this regard.

The delegation called on Omid Nouripour, Vice President of the German Parliament (Bundestag) and outlined the three salient features of India’s policy in dealing with terrorism- Zero tolerance, not giving in to nuclear blackmail and resolving the issues with Pakistan bilaterally. The delegation emphasised that terrorism is a global threat and must be met with a unified international response.

The delegation also met with Armin Laschet, Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee of Bundestag, Ralph Brinkhaus, Member of Bundestag (MdB) and Hubertus Heil, MdB. The delegation conveyed their appreciation for prompt expression of condolences for victims of the Pahalgam terror attack by Germany’s top political leadership. They highlighted that the attack was designed to disrupt the booming tourism economy of Jammu & Kashmir and to sow seeds of communal tension in India, as per the official statement.

It further observed that during their interaction, the delegation emphasised that Operation Sindoor received support from across the spectrum in India and conveyed India’s united stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

The delegation interacted with senior members of German Parliament (Bundestag) active in the fields of foreign policy and international affairs and a leading think-tank in Germany, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS). Ending the day’s engagements, the delegation also had an interaction with representatives from leading German think-tanks and eminent personalities at a reception hosted by Ambassador of India to Germany, Ajit Gupte, the statement read.

Notably, during the interactions, the delegation highlighted the measured, precise, responsible and non-escalatory nature of the steps taken by India in response to the terrorist attack. They emphasised that nuclear blackmail should not be allowed as a cover for terrorism and discussed India’s strategy against cross-border terrorism in future. German interlocutors expressed support for India’s stance, with a shared recognition of the urgent need for the international community to come together in the fight against terrorism.

Both sides also discussed India-Germany cooperation in the field of Defence, Security and Counter-Terrorism as part of the deepening Strategic Partnership between the two countries. (ANI)

The post All-party delegation in Germany engages with lawmakers, think-tanks to highlight India’s zero-tolerance stand on terrorism appeared first on Newswire.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will undertake an official visit to Germany from 11 – 13 June 2025 on the invitation of the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. 

During this visit, President Dissanayake will hold bilateral discussions with the President of Germany, key ministers of the Federal Government and other dignitaries.

According to Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry, the discussions are to focus on new avenues for cooperation, including in the spheres of trade, digital economy, investment and vocational training opportunities based on government priorities. 

President Dissanayake will also chair a Business Forum, organised by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), with key industries in Germany to highlight Sri Lanka’s economic transformation, investment opportunities available, the growth potential of the country and opportunities for building new trade ties between the two countries. 

Further, the President will meet tourism and travel industry associations of Germany during this visit. 

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, and other senior Government officials. (Newswire)

The post President’s Germany visit : Official details released appeared first on Newswire.

A MICE Awareness Event was held in Colombo recently, bringing together decision-makers from German companies and their local representatives with the goal of spotlighting Sri Lanka as a rising destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) in Asia.

The event, held under the theme “Host with Impact. Meet in Colombo,” was hosted by the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) and the Sri Lanka-German Business Council (SLGBC), with the support of Aitken Spence Travels.

The event served as a strategic platform to promote Colombo as a viable alternative to traditional MICE destinations in the region. By showcasing Sri Lanka’s growing capabilities in infrastructure and hospitality, the organizers aimed to inspire German businesses to bring their regional and international conferences and meetings to the island.

Ambassador of Germany to Sri Lanka and designated to the Maldives, Dr. Felix Neumann, addressed in his special remarks the country’s ambition to host international business events and welcome people from all around the globe. The message was clear: “Sri Lanka has untapped potential as a destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) in Asia, but there is a need to enhance global awareness of Sri Lanka’s growing capability in this sector.”

Building on Ambassador’s remarks, Chief Delegate of AHK Sri Lanka, Martin Klose, outlined the strategy behind this initiative to promote Colombo as MICE tourism destination, especially among the German business community. “Sri Lanka offers an ideal blend of strategic location, hospitality, and cultural richness. Its commitment to quality and sustainability makes it a compelling choice for international business events.”

Acting General Manager of the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB), Achini Dandunnage, presented the country’s MICE offering, outlining its venue diversity, logistical strengths, and institutional support for hosting large-scale events.

The highlight of the event was an engaging panel discussion featuring:

•  Ambassador of Germany to Sri Lanka and Maldives, Dr. Felix Neumann
• Acting General Manager of the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB), Ms. Achini Dandunnage
• President of the Sri Lanka-German Business Council (SLCBC) and Vice President of The Hotel Association of Sri Lanka (THASL), Mr. Asoka Hettigoda
• Representative, Managing Director at Aitken Spence Travels and President of The Sri Lankan Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO), Mr. Nalin Jayasundera

The panel offered practical insights into the advantages of hosting MICE events in Sri Lanka, with speakers underlining that the country can compete with leading MICE hubs in Asia, provided more international stakeholders recognize its untapped potential.

In his closing remarks, President of the SLCBC and Vice President of THASL, Asoka Hettigoda, thanked the German business community for their presence and encouraged them to convey Sri Lanka’s value proposition to their global headquarters.

The event concluded with a networking session, where attendees had the opportunity to engage with the panellists and explore ideas for organizing their future business events in Sri Lanka.

The MICE Awareness event served as a significant milestone in the Sri Lankan-German Business collaboration and the ongoing efforts by the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) and the Sri Lanka-German Business Council (SLGBC) to foster mutual engagement between both countries.

AHK Sri Lanka is part of the German Chamber Network, supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). With 150 locations in 93 countries around the world, the members of the German Chamber Network (AHKs) offer their experience, connections, and services to German companies and companies of the respective partner countries. AHKs are located in all countries of particular importance to German companies and are closely connected to the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHKs) in Germany. (Newswire)

The post Sri Lanka positions itself as a MICE Hub for the German Business Community appeared first on Newswire.

India and Germany reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in science and technology during a high-level meeting on Sunday between Union Minister Jitendra Singh and Germany’s Minister-President Markus Söder.

The talks included a one-on-one bilateral followed by a delegation-level meeting, which touched upon advancing partnerships in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, biotechnology, clean energy, electric mobility, cyber-physical system and green hydrogen. 

Minister Singh welcomed the German delegation, stressing Germany’s role as a natural partner in India’s push for sustainable and technology-driven solutions.

Singh praised the Indo-German 2+2 collaboration model, which links academia and industry from both countries, calling it a “futuristic” approach to global problem-solving through innovation and commercialisation. He also recalled the 50th anniversary of Indo-German cooperation in science and technology, celebrated last year, and pointed to a recent governing body meeting in Germany as a sign of growing momentum.

Speaking on India’s biotechnology sector, Singh noted the presence of over 3,000 startups and India’s global leadership in vaccine manufacturing. He cited the newly launched BIOe3 policy, focused on energy, economy, and employment, as a strategic move to accelerate biotech innovation.

India’s space technology and nuclear sectors, now open to private participation, were also identified as promising areas for collaboration. Singh added that India currently ranks third globally in terms of startups and unicorns, presenting a vibrant landscape for tech partnerships.

Educational exchanges featured prominently in the discussions, with Singh noting that over 50,000 Indian students—mostly in STEM fields—are currently enrolled in German universities, a figure that has tripled in the past seven years. He urged for a reciprocal rise in the number of German students in India, especially in Oriental studies and traditional knowledge systems.

Fondly recalling his visit to Berlin, Singh observed the growing appeal of Indian cuisine and culture, pointing to the proliferation of Indian restaurants and the enthusiasm of locals. The German delegation included Ambassador Dr. Philipp Ackermann and other senior officials, while Indian representatives featured senior figures from the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Biotechnology. (Business World)

The post India, Germany Pledge Deeper Science Cooperation In High-Level Talks appeared first on Newswire.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has visited Germany, focusing on strengthening vocational education and economic partnerships between the two nations. 

According to the PM’s Office, during her visit, she participated in the 102nd East Asia Friendship Dinner, met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and engaged in high-level discussions on investment, education, and economic reforms.

As a Guest of Honour at the German Asia-Pacific Business Association (OAV) annual gathering, Prime Minister Amarasuriya addressed an audience of business leaders and dignitaries, emphasizing Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and its potential as a growing investment destination. She highlighted the contributions of over 160 German companies in Sri Lanka and invited further collaboration in trade and business.

In her capacity as the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, the Prime Minister delivered a keynote speech at the ‘German-Asian Forum on Vocational Education & Training.’ 

She acknowledged Germany’s decades-long support in Sri Lanka’s vocational education sector and stressed the importance of modernizing vocational training to align with industry demands. Additionally, she visited ITECH vocational school and German research hubs such as NXP Semiconductors and DESY, discussing collaboration in IT and technology-driven industries.

During her discussions with President Steinmeier, Prime Minister Amarasuriya reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment to economic stability, social protection, and national unity. 

She also attended a business roundtable, where she engaged with German companies and government representatives on economic expansion, digitalization, and sustainable development initiatives.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Germany, Varuni Muthukumarana, and senior embassy officials. (Newswire)

The post PM Amarasuriya strengthens vocational education and economic ties with Germany appeared first on Newswire.

The German Embassy in Sri Lanka has announced that the University of Leipzig is offering a course for Sri Lankans under its Summer 2025 trainers course.

Issuing a notice, the German Embassy called on basketball enthusiasts in Sri Lanka to apply for the training course.

For more details on the course and application, visit https://www.spowi.uni-leipzig.de/…/studying…/application

The deadline for applications is 10th August 2024. Those interested have been requested to email their applications to info@colo.diplo.de. (Newswire)

The post Opportunity for SL basketball enthusiasts from Germany appeared first on Newswire.

A Sri Lankan delegation led by State Minister of Investment Promotion Dilum Amunugama participated, for the first time, in the ‘Hannover Messe 2024’ in Germany in April. 

According to the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Berlin, Sri Lanka officially participated in the Hannover Messe, which is considered to be the world’s leading industrial trade fair, from 22- 26 April 2024. This year’s edition of Hannover Messe was attended by more than 130,000 visitors from 150 countries, 4,000 exhibiting companies, 300 start-ups and over 300 economic and political delegations from all over the world.

State Minister Amunugama’s visit to Hannover Messe focussed on creating awareness in Germany about investing in Sri Lanka, exploring opportunities for Sri Lankan businesses and strengthening economic relations with Germany. The State Minister participated at the Hannover Messe accepting an invitation extended by Chief Delegate of the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce (AHK) in Sri Lanka Marie Antonia von Schönburg. Head of Protocol Michael Rose and Director-Public Affairs for East Germany and Berlin of Deutsche Messe Andrej Gross and the organizer of Hannover Messe welcomed State Minister Amunugama and the delegation to ‘Hannover Messe 2024’.

The Hannover Messe is an important venue for businesses from across the world to learn about important innovations that drive industrial competitiveness and sustainability. It is also a venue for businesses to find partners for collaborative ventures and for countries to showcase their investment and technological potential. The focus of this year’s trade fair was on how businesses can take advantage of developments such as artificial intelligence (AI), hydrogen and many other high-tech solutions.

State Minister Amunugama delivered the keynote speech on “Sri Lanka’s path to attract investments” at the Asia- Pacific Forum of the Hannover Messe which was moderated by Ms. Schönburg. 

The State Minister highlighted opportunities for investment in Sri Lanka including in the Port City project and extended an invitation for interested parties to visit Sri Lanka to witness firsthand the potential for investment and business collaborations. The State Minister said that Sri Lanka has much to gain from strengthening trade and investment linkages with Germany.

At Hannover Messe, the State Minister met with representatives of German Trade and Investment (GTAI), the international economic promotion agency of Germany; the Investment promotion agency of Baden-Württemberg province, home of many leading industries such as Mercedes- Benz, Bosch and Würth; and leaders of several German businesses in the fields of green hydrogen, port consultancy services, maritime services, agriculture engineering equipment and IT services. Among the topics discussed in the meetings were strengthening bilateral trade linkages, linking with the industrial value chains of Europe, establishing connections with the Board of Investment (BOI) Sri Lanka and the exchange of business delegations.

The State Minister and the delegation also visited one of the production plants of Continental AG, a German company which in 2024 signed an agreement with BOI Sri Lanka to invest around 13 million euros over the next three years to expand their production facility in Sri Lanka, creating around 200 additional jobs. Operating since 2009, Continental is one of the largest German investors in Sri Lanka. 

Sri Lanka’s participation at the ‘Hannover Messe 2024’ was organized by AHK Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Berlin and Deutsche Messe AG.

The State Minister was accompanied to the ‘Hannover Messe 2024’ by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Germany Varuni Muthukumarana, Counselor of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Berlin Senuja Samaraweera, Chief Delegate of AHK Sri Lanka Marie Antonia von Schönburg and Executive Director of the Aitken Spence Dr. Rohan Fernando. (Newswire)

The post Sri Lanka participates in Germany’s ‘Hannover Messe 2024’ industrial trade fair appeared first on Newswire.

A Sri Lankan internationally wanted for a murder committed in Bucharest in 1991, is to be brought to Romania on April 23 to serve a 19-year prison sentence.

According to the Romania Insider, the 53-year-old man from Sri Lanka was arrested in Germany at the beginning of this year, nearly 33 years after the incident. 

The man will be brought to the country by an escort of the Romanian Police.

“In December 1991, the man killed a foreign citizen, after which he tied him up and wrapped him in a carpet from his residence in Bucharest and transported him to the Crângași neighborhood, throwing him into Lake Morii. For this crime, he was sentenced to 19 years in prison,” the police press release states.

Receiving reports that the man was in Germany, the Romanian Police cooperated with its German counterpart and had the man arrested in Moers, Germany, on January 3.

After being brought back to the country, the individual will be incarcerated to serve the sentence. (Newswire)

The post Sri Lankan wanted for 1991 murder in Romania captured in Germany appeared first on Newswire.

The German government is fully backing negotiations with the Indian Navy for its Project 75 India tender to build six new conventional submarines in which German firm Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems is partnering with Indian Mazgaon Dockyards Limited as one of the two competing industry teams, Germany’s Ambassador to India Philipp Ackerman said.

In an interview over email, the German envoy said that New Delhi was at the forefront of Berlin’s business strategy in Asia where it was strongly diversifying its business relations due to the “increasingly challenging behaviour of India’s big neighbour in the North East” and other reasons.

“I can state that Germany is committed to team up with an Indian dockyard to build high-tech submarines in India and that my government is wholeheartedly supporting the ongoing negotiations. The process is still ongoing and the decision is for India to take. What we can say though it that this project already is accelerating our defence partnership and therefore works as a lighthouse for future cooperation,” he said.

Project 75 India is an Indian Navy project where it wants to build six bigger conventional submarines with Air Independent Propulsion technology German firm Thyssenkrupp and Spanish firm Navantia are partnering with MDL and Larsen and Toubro respectively for this project expected to be worth over six billion euros.

The German ambassador did not comment upon the recent issue where the German foreign office gave a statement about the arrest of the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, which was strongly objected to by India as interference in its internal affairs.

Asked why India can count on Germany as its strategic partner, Ackerman said: “Because Germany’s shift towards India and the Indo-Pacific is manifesting itself in very concrete actions: military visits and joint exercises, potential co-production of advanced military hardware, more collaboration in the area of cyber and strengthening our interoperability.”

He said that Germany would be sending its fighters including the Eurofighter Typhoons and transport aircraft – A400M – to India and spearhead a European team together with France and Spain for an exercise near Coimbatore.

“We team up with the Indian Air Force to participate in the first phase of Tarang Shakti. It is the first time that Germany is sending his Air Force to India to participate in such a high scale exercise.. In October, two German ships, one frigate and one support ship, will come to Goa to show their presence and train together with our close partners and friends from the Indian Navy,” he said while listing details of the engagement with the Indian military in near future.

The German envoy to India said that high-ranking visits from Germany are expected this summer and autumn to witness and politically support this joint exercise. “And I am very optimistic that from this year onwards, we will have joint exercises on a regular, annual,” the German Ambassador said.

Talking about the changed German foreign policy and attitude towards India, Ackerman said that there is an even bigger political will in Berlin to boost defence ties with India and build a long-term and substantial strategic partnership.

“That is why we push for a stronger German and European cooperation with partners in the Indo-Pacific. The German government did open its defence export policy and our collaboration with India in that regard is one of the most important examples of this shift. It is in our interest that India diversifies its military cooperation and together with our American and European partners, we want to offer alternatives to the Indian government,” he said.

On the role of India in its Indo-Pacific strategy for 2020, the German Ambassador said that Germany as a trading nation with strong international links, has a great interest in free shipping routes and in the preservation of peace and stability in the region.

“As a result of Russia’s war of aggression and the increasingly challenging behaviour of India’s big neighbour in the North East, Germany is strongly diversifying its trade relations in Asia. India is on the forefront of this business strategy. That is also why we are seeing such a strong interest of German companies, big ones as well as many start-ups, to invest in India! That is one reason why the 18th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business in October this year will happen in New Delhi,” he said.

On Project 75 India, Ackerman said that the recent visit of Indian Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane in Berlin shows the continuation of high-level exchanges between our two democracies in order to strengthen defence cooperation.

“Germany is ready to supply aircraft, torpedoes and power packs for tanks to India – with substantial localization of production in India. Germany also did speed up its processes for export licenses: We are delivering more and faster because India is our prime security partner in the region. Together, we have invested already a lot in the freedom of this region and we are committed to strengthen that much more, he said.

The German firm Thyssenkrupp’s Chief Executive Officer Oliver Burkhard said that TKMS was the only firm with a proven AIP system and “We just underlined the technical possibilities together with a delegation from the Indian and German Navies.”

Asked about the planned work share between Indian MDL and TKMS for the P-75 India which has some stringent requirements for the transfer of technology and increased work share of Indian entities, Burkhard said that in the presence of the German Defence Minister, Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and MDL have already signed a memorandum of understanding.

“As part of the letter of intent, we stipulated that, if awarded the contract, we would be responsible for the design of the submarines as well as playing an advisory role. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders would be responsible for the construction and delivery of the submarines,” he said.

“I can assure you both companies have many years of experience, knowledge and expertise and we are engaging our key sub-suppliers in the process of indigenisation, including for example our own subsidiaries ‘kta’ and ATLAS ELEKTRONIK. The plan presented by MDL to the government includes already a percentage of indigenisation for the first boat which is significantly higher than the stipulated requirement,” he said. (ANI)

The post Germany fully backs submarine negotiations with India, wants to offer military cooperation alternatives to New Delhi: German envoy appeared first on Newswire.

Under the first step in the much-debated new law, adults over 18 are now allowed to carry 25 grams of dried cannabis and cultivate up to three marijuana plants at home.

The changes leave Germany with some of the most liberal cannabis laws in Europe, alongside Malta and Luxembourg, which legalised recreational use in 2021 and 2023, respectively.

The Netherlands, known for its permissive attitude to the drug, has in recent years taken a stricter approach to counter cannabis tourism.

As the law took effect at midnight, hundreds of people cheered by Berlin’s iconic Brandenbrug Gate, many of them by lighting up joints in what one participant, a very happy 25-year-old Niyazi, called “a bit of extra freedom”.

As the next step in the legal reform, from July 1 it will be possible to legally obtain weed through “cannabis clubs” in the country.

These regulated associations will be allowed to have up to 500 members each, and will be able to distribute up to 50 grams of cannabis per person per month.

Until then, “consumers must not tell the police where they bought their cannabis” in the event of a street check, Georg Wurth, director of the German Cannabis Association, told AFP.

‘Disaster’

Initial plans for cannabis to be sold via licensed shops have been ditched due to EU opposition, though a second law is in the pipeline to trial the sale of the drug in shops in pilot regions.

The German government, a three-way coalition led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz‘s Social Democrats, argues that legalisation will help contain the growing black market for the popular substance.

But health groups have raised concerns that legalisation could lead to an increase in use among young people, who face the highest health risks.

Cannabis use among young people can affect the development of the central nervous system, leading to an increased risk of developing psychosis and schizophrenia, experts have warned.

“From our point of view, the law as it is written is a disaster,” Katja Seidel, a therapist at a cannabis addiction centre for young people in Berlin, told AFP.

Even Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, a doctor, has said that cannabis consumption can be “dangerous”, especially for young people.

The government has promised a widespread information campaign to raise awareness of the risks and to boost support programmes.

It has also stressed that cannabis will remain banned for under-18s and within 100 metres of schools, kindergartens and playgrounds.

‘Responsible’

The law has also led to criticism from police, who fear it will be difficult to enforce.

“From April 1, our colleagues will find themselves in situations of conflict with citizens, as uncertainty reigns on both sides,” said Alexander Poitz, vice-president of the GdP police union.

Another potential issue is that the law will retroactively declare an amnesty for cannabis-related offences, creating an administrative headache for the legal system.

According to the German Judges’ Association, the pardon could apply to more than 200,000 cases that would need to be checked and processed.

Conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz has said he would “immediately” repeal the law if he and his party formed a government following nationwide elections in 2025.

But Finance Minister Christian Lindner, from the liberal FDP, said legalisation was a “responsible” move that was better than “directing people to the black market”.

The new law “will not lead to chaos”, Lindner told public broadcaster ARD. (AFP)

The post Germany becomes biggest EU country to legalise recreational cannabis appeared first on Newswire.

Several Acting Ministers have been appointed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to oversee ministries under his purview during his official visit to Germany.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the President left for Germany early this morning (Sep 27). 

During his absence, the responsibilities of the ministries under his purview have been temporarily entrusted to the respective state ministers;

• State Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon – Acting Minister of Defence
• State Minister Shehan Semasinghe – Acting Minister of Finance
• State Minister Kanaka Herath – Acting Minister of Technology
• State Minister Anupa Pasqual – Acting Minister for Women, Children Affairs and Social Empowerment
• State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya – Acting Minister for Investment Promotion.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe left for Germany to deliver the opening remarks at the Leaders Dialogue session during the ‘Berlin Global Dialogue’ on September 28-29. 

The PMD stated that subsequently, he will join a bilateral session with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the officials of the Federal Republic of Germany. (NewsWire)

The post Five acting ministers appointed as President leaves for Germany appeared first on Newswire.