Ex Defense Secretary presents credentials as envoy for Germany

The newly appointed Sri Lanka Envoy for Germany, Eng. Karunasena Hettiarachchi presented credentials to Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, at the Honour Court of Bellevue Castle in Berlin this week, Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

Ambassador Hettiarachchi conveyed the greetings and best wishes of the President and the Prime Minister to the German President, and reiterated the commitment of the government to strengthen relations between the two countries. The Ambassador also thanked the Federal President for his assistance and goodwill towards Sri Lanka during his tenure as the Federal Foreign Minister.
 
During the cordial discussion, the Ambassador briefed the Federal President on the significant progress that Sri Lanka has made on reconciliation, reconstruction and economic development, following the election of the Unity government in 2015.
 
Welcoming the new Ambassador, President Steinmeier stated that a positive environment has been created for greater collaboration with the international community by the policies of the new government in Sri Lanka.  He further highlighted the importance of strengthening relations between the two countries, particularly in the fields of culture, trade, investment and tourism.
 
The Federal President assured of his support and that of his staff to the new envoy in pursuing initiatives for greater cooperation between the two countries.  
 
The Ambassador was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Wasantha Gunawardana, Counsellor/ Head of Chancery U. Ahamed Razee, Second Secretary Mrs. T.N. Arnolda, and Third Secretary A. G. Gamini Wijayarathna.