Sunday Times 2
German street festival kicks off anniversary celebration
View(s):It was a fun celebration of the strong bond between two countries when the German Embassy organised a street festival to mark 60 
years
of diplomatic ties with Sri Lanka last Sunday. From German cars to German food, German music and German aid projects, puppeteers, street theatre and even a fashion 
show, the many stalls lining the shady pavements of Colombo’s Greenpath provided a relaxed atmosphere for celebration.
Partnering the German Embassy in this effort were companies Allianz Insurance, DIMO, IWS Holdings, Prestige Automobiles and Senok Automobiles.
Official diplomatic ties between Germany and Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) were established on December 9, 1953 with the first German envoy, Dr Georg Ahrens presenting his credentials to then Governor General Lord Soulbury. Two years later Prime Minister Sir John Kotelawala paid the first official visit to Germany.
More events have been lined up to mark the anniversary in the months ahead.