German-Sri Lankan relations

German-Sri Lankan relations

Germany	Sri Lanka

The German-Sri Lankan relations are diplomatic relations between Germany and Sri Lanka . They have existed since 1953. In October 2013, the 60th anniversary was celebrated in Berlin. At the end of the 30-year civil war in 2009, Germany became an important partner in reconstruction and a helper in the reconciliation of the various ethnic groups . In addition, Germany and its partners from the EU ensure compliance with human rights and the development of the humanitarian situation.

economy

Germany is the third most important sales market for Sri Lanka. In 2014, the value of German import goods from Sri Lanka, which mainly consist of rubber , tea and textiles , was EUR 473.3 million. The German export of machines, electrotechnical and chemical products as well as motor vehicles amounted to 218.1 million euros. Germany is Sri Lanka's second most important investor from the EU. Investments by 51 German companies have created around 11,700 local jobs in Sri Lanka since 1951. In the 1950s, various trade agreements were concluded which serve as the basis for bilateral cooperation. In 1979 a double taxation agreement was signed, which offers reduced tax rates on dividends and interest for both countries.

agreement

• Trade Agreement (1950, 1955, 1958)
• Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (2000)
• Framework Agreement on Technical Cooperation (1973)
• Aviation Agreement (1973, 1995)
• Double Taxation Agreement (1979)

education

• In 1999 the South Asia Institute Heidelberg (SAI) opened a branch in Colombo . In 2014, the SAI and the University of Colombo were able to deepen their relationship through a Memorandum of Understanding .
• The Goethe Institute has had its headquarters in Colombo since 1957 . The institute's commitment primarily focuses on the areas of cultural exchange and the provision of language training opportunities.
• The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) founded a branch in India in 1960, where it also offers scholarships and exchange programs for students from Sri Lanka and Germany.

tourism

With 85,470 travelers in 2013, German visitors represented the third most important group of tourists for Sri Lanka. The tourism slump caused by the 2004 tsunami and the civil war that lasted until 2009 was overcome in the following years by steadily increasing visitor numbers. In 2014, Sri Lanka recorded a growth in tourism for German travelers of around 21% (2013: 85,000; 2014: 103,000).

Development cooperation

Germany has been involved in development policy in Sri Lanka since 1958 as part of regional programs. With regard to the reconciliation and peace processes that have not yet been completed, the focus of cooperation is primarily on crisis prevention and peace building. For this purpose, programs for social integration and transformation as well as peace education were established. Other measures include projects for vocational training in the north and east of the country.

literature

• Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business: Asia-Pacific Business Manual 2011/2012. OAV - German Asia-Pacific Business Association, Hamburg 2011.
• Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka Foreign Affairs. Colombo 1998.

Web links

Commons : German-Sri Lankan Relations  - Collection of Pictures, Videos and Audio Files

• Safety instructions for travelers Federal Foreign Office
• German Embassy in Sri Lanka German Embassy Colombo
• Sri Lankan Embassy in Germany Sri Lankan embassy and consulates in Germany

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Embassy and consulates of Sri Lanka in Germany, 60th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between Germany and Sri Lanka ( Memento of the original from January 27, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , dated March 31, 2013, accessed January 25, 2016. 
2. ↑ ^{a b c d e f} Federal Foreign Office, Relationship between Sri Lanka and Germany , as of September 2015, accessed on January 25, 2016
3. ↑ Germany Trade & Invest, Economic Data Sri Lanka ( Memento of the original from January 27, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. As of May 2015, accessed January 25, 2016. 
4. ^ Embassy and Consulates of Sri Lanka in Germany, Trade and Investment in Sri Lanka , accessed January 25, 2016
5. ^ South Asia Institute, Colombo Branch Office , accessed January 25, 2016.
6. ↑ Goethe-Institut, Sri Lanka , accessed on January 25, 2016.
7. ↑ DAAD, DAAD Country Information Sri Lanka , accessed on January 25, 2016.
8. ^ DAAD India, DAAD New Delhi , accessed on January 25, 2016.
9. ↑ Embassy and Consulates of Sri Lanka in Germany, Tourism Development in Sri Lanka , accessed on January 25, 2016.
10. ↑ Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Sri Lanka , accessed on January 25, 2016.