President meets Merkel: German Chancellor assures more assistance | Daily News

President meets Merkel: German Chancellor assures more assistance

President Maithripala Sirisena who is on a state visit to Germany met Federal Chancellor of Germany Dr. Angela Merkel yesterday. A Guard of Honour was also held to welcome President Sirisena. Picture by President’s Media

German Chancellor Dr. Anjela Merkel yesterday assured to send a high level business delegation including the German Economic Affairs Minister to seek the opportunities to improve economic investments and trade relations between Germany and Sri Lanka.

The German Chancellor made these remarks when she met President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday at the former's office. The President who arrived in the Federal Chancellor's Office was received by the German leader. A Guard of Honour was also held to welcome President Sirisena, who is on a three-day state visit to Germany. After the Guard of Honour, the two national anthems were played. Subsequently, Chancellor Merkel and President Sirisena held bilateral discussions.

The discussion was focused on strengthening of bilateral relations of the two countries. Special attention was paid on promoting the economic and trade activities between Germany and Sri Lanka.

President Sirisena briefed the issue of kidney disease in Sri Lanka and sought assistance over the kidney disease prevention activities.

The Chancellor agreed to extend the assistance of researches on that. She also assured assistance for purification of water.

Dr. Merkel expressing her satisfaction about the reconciliation process in Sri Lanka stated she heard that the people in the South and the North are living contentedly.

She also pledged the assistance of the German government for the welfare of the Northern people.

The German Chancellor expressed her willingness to grant funds for the improvement of fields of vocational training and renewable energy in Sri Lanka.

Commenting on the ban imposed on Sri Lankan fish exports to Europe, Dr. Merkel said a committee has been appointed to investigate that matter. She said the actions will be taken according to the report by the committee.

When President Sirisena requested the assistance to regain the GSP+ to Sri Lanka, the German Chancellor said she would seek for the possibility over that.

The President invited the German Chancellor to visit Sri Lanka and she accepted the invitation.

Ministers Mangala Samaraweera, Ravi Karunanayake, Mahinda Samarasinghe, Daya Gamage, Malik Samarawickrama and the Sri Lankan Ambassedor in Germany Karunathilaka Amunugama also were present. 


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