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Sri Lankan Ambassador Meets Berlin Sports State Secretary to Discuss Ever Increasing Ties.

Meeting of Two Officials Aimed at Expanding Ties into Sports and Culture

July 09th, 2015
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Yesterday there was a meeting between H.E. Amb Karunathilaka Amunugam, the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Germany appointed in 2014. He is a professional career diplomat having served in a number of Asian countries before Germany. He will meet with the German Sports State Secretary, Andreas Statzkowski, who has held many positions within is time as a Member of the German House of Representatives.

The meeting took place at the Berlin Embassy of the Sri Lankan Government. The meeting at his office was called to discuss cultural and sporting Matters. The German minister, appointed in 2011 to the post, aimed at increasing sports and cultural co-operation. The meeting took place in a cordial atmosphere between the two men and was described as “fruitful”.

Although being thousands of miles from Germany, German culture has long had a niche place within Sri Lankan society. Sri Lanka was one of the first destinations for travellers during the 19th century and it was German aristocrats who were some of the first to go. Prince Waldemar of the ruling Prussian dynasty arriving in 1840. It is a tradition which has been continued into recent years with German tourists numbering 100,000 to Sri Lanka last year. Germany is also heavily invested in trade and development within Sri Lanka. 51 companies have invested in Sri Lanka since 1974 and the number increases yearly. German counts as the 3rd largest export market for Sri Lankan goods and the countries have signed several trade agreements over the years. Germany’s involvement in Sri Lankan post-war development has also been heavy. With Germany being the largest bilateral donor of foreign aid to Sri Lanka.

This meeting aimed to strengthen the ever increasing ties between the two countries. Giving the opportunity for two cultures at opposite ends of the world to come together. Adding a face to their growing co-operation. Co-Operation that can now spread beyond investment and to cultural ties and national sporting competition.

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News from Berlin
Matthew Hall, Berlin Global