Government recognizes the importance of engaging with the diaspora: Mangala

The Government recognizes the importance of engaging with the diaspora, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs intends to take the lead in organizing a diapora festival where persons of Sri Lankan origin from around the world in all possible fields – business, the arts, literature, culture, academia and sports – could participate and explore means to work closely with Sri Lanka including in reconciliation and development efforts, Foreign Minister Manghala Samaraweera has said.

The observation was made by the Minister Samaraweera who just concluded a visit to Germany, the Foreign Ministry said today (24). 

Minister Samaraweera has also briefed the German Foreign Minister as well as the dignitaries that he met during his visit, regarding the Government’s achievements related to the ’100-day Reform Programme’ in establishing good governance, the rule of law, strong democratic institutions, reconciliation, sustainable economic development, and in creating a new political culture devoid of divisive politics.

He explained that the objective of the Government is to work together with the opposition even after the general election to shed divisive politics and unite in addressing issues of national importance including framing national policies that are necessary for the nation’s stable and sustainable development in the long-term, with prosperity for all. He emphasized the priority accorded by the Government to the achievement of the twin objectives of ‘reconciliation and development’ and the preservation of the multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-lingual nature of society including ending impunity and corruption as articulated by the President on 19 May.

Minister Samaraweera has also noted that the new Government’s policy is to create sustainable growth by unlocking Sri Lanka’s long untapped economic potential through foreign direct investment, trade and tourism and rule-based systems. Highlighting Sri Lanka’s free trade agreements with India and Pakistan, he encouraged German businesses to explore the possibility of using Sri Lanka as a gateway to South Asia and the Indian Ocean. Speaking of people-to-people contact, and the large number of tourists from Germany who visit Sri Lanka every year, the Minister has stated that “Sri Lanka has long been a paradise for German tourists and that we want Sri Lanka to now be a paradise for German investors”.

Minister Samaraweera also noted that the new Government’s policy is to create sustainable growth by unlocking Sri Lanka’s long untapped economic potential through foreign direct investment, trade and tourism and rule-based systems. Highlighting Sri Lanka’s free trade agreements with India and Pakistan, he encouraged German businesses to explore the possibility of using Sri Lanka as a gateway to South Asia and the Indian Ocean. Speaking of people-to-people contact, and the large number of tourists from Germany who visit Sri Lanka every year, the Minister stated that “Sri Lanka has long been a paradise for German tourists and that we want Sri Lanka to now be a paradise for German investors”.

Foreign Minister Samaraweera also held discussions with officials from the Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftun and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung and addressed the German Council on Foreign Relations on the topic, ‘Contours of a New Sri Lanka’.