Thursday Oct 29, 2026
Thursday Oct 29, 2026
Thursday, 29 October 2026 05:34 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
German Ambassador Dr. Felix Neumann (left) and Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando
Sri Lanka is seeking to expand cooperation with Germany in trade, investment, tourism and education, Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando said.
Speaking at the German Unity Day reception in Colombo on 26 October, 2026, Dr. Fernando reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to closer economic cooperation and new areas of collaboration with Germany.
Germany is Sri Lanka’s fourth-largest export market, with exports exceeding $ 700 million in 2025, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development said. More than 160 German companies operate in Sri Lanka. Germany was also Sri Lanka’s fourth-largest tourism source market in 2025, with 147,966 arrivals.
Dr. Fernando acknowledged the role of the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce (AHK Sri Lanka) and the Sri Lanka-Germany Business Council in building business partnerships. He thanked Germany for its support following Cyclone Ditwah and welcomed the recent visit of the German Parliamentary Friendship Group for South Asia to Sri Lanka.
Germany has also supported Sri Lanka in development cooperation, education and vocational training, including through the Ceylon German Technical Training Institute (CGTTI). More than 120,000 Sri Lankans live in Germany. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1953.
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