Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya says Sri Lanka’s strength lies in its position as an open, reliable, and constructive partner committed to regional cooperation and international engagement.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the main conference of the Sri Lankan-German Business Forum 2026 as Chief Guest yesterday (May 28) at ITC Ratnadipa, Colombo, according to the Prime Minister’s Media Division (PMD).
Organised by the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) with the support of the German Embassy in Colombo, the three-day forum aims to promote Sri Lanka as an attractive destination for foreign direct investment (FDI), particularly in the maritime and logistics sectors.
The conference brought together government officials, international experts, and corporate leaders for discussions on maritime development, export competitiveness, infrastructure financing, and investment opportunities.
During the event, the official invitation for the Asia Pacific Conference 2026 was presented to Prime Minister Amarasuriya by the German delegation together with the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Dr. Felix Neuman.
Addressing the forum, the Prime Minister highlighted the longstanding partnership between Sri Lanka and Germany, noting that cooperation between the two countries extends across tourism, trade, investment, technology transfer, development cooperation, and private sector collaboration.
She also acknowledged Germany’s longstanding contribution to Sri Lanka’s development, particularly in technical and vocational education, renewable energy, and development cooperation.
According to the PMD, the Prime Minister stated that Sri Lanka is currently undergoing a period of economic recovery and reform aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability and restructuring the economy towards a more resilient and competitive model.
“The Government has undertaken a comprehensive programme of fiscal consolidation, structural adjustments, and governance reforms directed towards long-term economic sustainability,” she said.
She also noted that while such reforms are intended to ensure stability and growth, they carry social impacts that must be carefully managed, particularly for workers, women, and vulnerable communities.
Highlighting Sri Lanka’s strategic position in the Indian Ocean, the Prime Minister said the country’s ports, airports, skilled workforce, and improving investment climate continue to strengthen its role as a regional hub connecting East and West.
She further stated that Sri Lanka’s improving performance in global governance and transparency indicators reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen accountability, institutional integrity, and good governance, which are key to enhancing investor confidence.
Emphasising Sri Lanka’s commitment to expanding international economic engagement, Prime Minister Amarasuriya invited the German business community to further strengthen partnerships with Sri Lankan counterparts.
The event was attended by German Ambassador Dr. Felix Neuman, Chief Delegate of AHK Sri Lanka Martin Klose, Deputy Ministers, government officials, international experts, and members of the business communities of both countries.