Sri Lanka is looking to strengthen economic ties with Germany, that has an established corporate presence in the country and a significant tourism market, building on over US$ 700 million in annual exports.
Addressing the German Unity Day reception in Colombo on 26 October, Labour Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando highlighted opportunities to expand cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, education and vocational training.
Germany ranked as Sri Lanka’s fourth-largest export market in 2025, with shipments exceeding US$ 700 million. More than 160 German companies operate in Sri Lanka, providing an established foundation for closer commercial engagement.
Fernando recognised the contribution of AHK Sri Lanka, the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce, and the Sri Lanka–Germany Business Council in advancing business partnerships and economic cooperation.
Tourism adds further weight to the relationship. Sri Lanka attracted 147,966 German visitors in 2025, making Germany its fourth-largest source market.
Alongside trade and tourism, Fernando highlighted Germany’s longstanding support for vocational education and industrial training. He singled out the Ceylon German Technical Training Institute, widely known as German Tech, for its contribution to the country’s industrial and educational sectors.
Sri Lanka and Germany established diplomatic relations in 1953. The partnership has since expanded to cover political dialogue, employment, development cooperation, education and cultural exchanges.
Fernando said recent high-level exchanges had helped strengthen bilateral engagement and welcomed the visit of the German Parliamentary Friendship Group for South Asia, which provided an opportunity to deepen parliamentary ties and exchange views on shared interests.
He also expressed appreciation for Germany’s support following Cyclone Ditwah.
The relationship is supported by a Sri Lankan community of more than 120,000 in Germany, while the Goethe-Institut in Colombo continues to promote cultural links.
Fernando reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to closer economic cooperation and new avenues of collaboration, acknowledging German Ambassador Dr. Felix Neumann and the Embassy’s efforts to advance bilateral relations.
