German parliamentary delegation to visit Sri Lanka

[TamilNet, Sunday, 31 October 2010, 11:15 GMT]
A German Parliamentary delegation headed by Dagmar Ernstberger, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Group on South Asia, will arrive in Colombo Tuesday on a four day visit for the first time after the end of the war to obtain a first-hand impression on progress made and of challenges ahead. The main objective is to gain first-hand experience on post conflict development activities in the country. They will also visit the Northern Province and inspect the de-mining activities and resettled villages, the German Embassy sources in Colombo said.

The delegation is to meet Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa, ministers, leaders of political parties, representatives of civil societies and religious dignitaries during their stay.

German Ambassador in Sri Lanka Jens Plotner said in a statement that this visit is significant as this was the first time a group of German Parliamentarians were visiting Sri Lanka since the end of the war.

In this crucial phase of Sri Lanka's history, the revival of a substantial political dialogue is of particular importance, the Ambassador stressed.

Germany wants to assist Sri Lanka in its transformation from a country at war to a society living in peace, he said.