Business
Germany to give continued support to Sri Lanka amid its entanglement in geopolitics
By Sanath Nanayakkare
Sri Lanka is probably running the risk of becoming a pawn or whatever, between China’s assertive politics and India’s, a German economic policy leader said in Colombo recently.
Tobias Pierlings, Director and Head of Division for External Economic Policy South and Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), made this remark during his speech at a reception where the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka), hosted a New Year’s reception at the Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo, on 23rd January 2025.
Tobias spoke at the reception in a private capacity as he was holidaying in Sri Lanka.
The last item on his travel itinerary after the AHK’s reception was to go to Ahungalla for a brief holiday, and then fly back home.
Tobias had been in Sri Lanka officially in September 2024 – the presidential election month of Sri Lanka. He described his trip to Sri Lanka at the time, as a very insightful trip, given that ‘we all witnessed the return of geopolitics to the international stage’, for a country strategically located along the world’s major sea thoroughfares.
“That [development] merits more attention than what many of us had attributed to Sri Lanka in the wake of Sri Lanka’s financial and debt crisis in the years before,” he noted.
“As I said, I am here on holiday, but when the Chief Delegate of AHK Sri Lanka, Ms. Marie Antonia von Schönburg invited me to come and address this important reception, I couldn’t say ‘no’. So, please bear with me, I am here in an unofficial capacity. I am overseeing the German government’s external economic policy relations with partner countries in South and Southeast Asia, and a whole host of other countries. I have said this before; we want to see Sri Lanka back at the table. Even though Germany is heading towards elections in a few weeks, Germany will remain unchanged in steering its diversified economic policy efforts. We need more partners; we need more investments coming from Germany into partner countries in Asia and vice versa,” he said.
“Sri Lanka, the gem in the Indian Ocean is a no brainer to look at, and that’s the message that I would like to convey here tonight. we want to engage more deeply with Sri Lanka. We want to foster geoeconomic strategic relations with Sri Lanka given that Sri Lanka is in, what I said, ‘in the return of geopolitics’- is probably running a risk of becoming a pawn or whatever between China’s assertive politics and india’s. So please keep Germany in your mind as a devoted partner to Sri Lanka’s development,” he said.
The event brought together representatives of over 300 German brands present in Sri Lanka, along with key business representatives and journalists.
Olaf Malchow, Deputy Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Colombo was an honoured guest at the event.
The participation of these two distinguished personalities underscored the enduring partnership between Sri Lanka and Germany while highlighting the potential for expanding bilateral economic cooperation in the years to come.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Delegate of AHK Sri Lanka, Ms. Marie Antonia von Schönburg, highlighted the shared vision for growth and collaboration.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka today (07) presented its flagship publication, the Annual Economic Review for 2024 (AER 2024), to President and Minister of Finance, Anura Kumara Disanayake, highlighting the steady progress of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery following the country’s most severe downturn in recent history.
The report was officially handed over by Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank, during a special ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat.
AER 2024 comprises four main chapters: Macroeconomic Developments, Conditions of the Financial System, Review of Central Bank’s Policies and Macroeconomic Outlook.
According to the Review, the Sri Lankan economy showed significant signs of recovery in 2024, following the deep economic crisis experienced two years ago. The recovery trajectory, though challenging, has been notably faster than that of many other debt-distressed countries.
Improvements in economic activity, a partial resurgence in purchasing power and reduced uncertainty are among the key positive indicators noted in the report.
The event was attended by Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, K. M. Mahinda Siriwardena, Secretary to the Treasury, Mrs. K. M. A. N. Daulagala, Senior Deputy Governor, Dr. C. Amarasekara, Assistant Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) S. Jegajeevan, Director of Economic Research and Dr. L. R. C. Pathberiya and Additional Director of Economic Research at the Central Bank Dr. V. D. Wickramarachchi.
[PMD]
Business
IceWarp expands into Sri Lanka, fostering European innovation in collaboration with FentonsIT
IceWarp, a global leader in business communication solutions, has officially launched its cutting-edge platform in Sri Lanka, bringing European expertise in email and collaboration solutions to support the country’s evolving business landscape.
This expansion is driven by a strategic partnership with Fentons Information Technology (FIT), the Information Technology arm of Hayleys Fentons Limited.
The grand launch event held at The Kingsbury Colombo on 4th April, 2025, was graced by several distinguished guests, including Chief Guest Mohan Pandithage, Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys PLC.
The presence of Adam Paclt, Global CEO of IceWarp, and Pramod Sharda, CEO for India and the Middle East of IceWarp, along with their global team, highlighted the significance of this expansion. Industry experts, government officials, corporate leaders, and CIOs from the banking, financial services and insurance sectors were in attendance as well, reflecting strong local interest in IceWarp’s European expertise.
With this launch, Sri Lankan businesses now have access to an affordable, scalable and secure alternative to Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. IceWarp’s advanced Collaboration Suite integrates a wide range of tools into a single, unified platform designed to streamline communication and boost productivity. Offering flexible hybrid deployment options and cost-efficient solution, IceWarp enables organisations to optimise their operations without compromising security or functionality.
Ceylon Energy and HJT China have successfully completed the Mahiyangana-Kappalthurei 33kV power distribution lines and the Uhana Gantry as part of Sri Lanka’s Supporting Electricity Supply Reliability Improvement Project (SESRIP). Funded by the Asian Development Bank ($42 million), SESRIP aims to expand energy access in underserved regions, including conflict-affected areas and provinces like Uva and North Central.
The project’s infrastructure spans over 270 km of 33kV lines, 13 switching gantries, and 2,372 km of low-voltage extensions.
The projects connect 35,000+ households and improve reliability for 493,000+ consumers; integrates renewables to reduce losses.
The projects’ notable components include: Mahiyangana-Bibila Line: 36 km with 147 steel towers and Kappalthurei-Sixth Mile Post Line: 14 km with 58 towers.
Ceylon Energy Chairman Madushanka Fernando hailed it as a ‘new beginning of a brighter era’, emphasising the project’s role in uplifting rural communities and driving sustainable development.
The initiative underscores Sri Lanka’s commitment to inclusive, reliable energy and climate resilience.
INS Sahyadri sets sail from Colombo
Belgian prince loses bid for benefits on top of £300k royal allowance
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
-
Business19 hours agoColombo Coffee wins coveted management awards
-
Features2 days agoStarlink in the Global South
-
Business3 days agoDaraz Sri Lanka ushers in the New Year with 4.4 Avurudu Wasi Pro Max – Sri Lanka’s biggest online Avurudu sale
-
Business4 days agoStrengthening SDG integration into provincial planning and development process
-
Business3 days agoNew SL Sovereign Bonds win foreign investor confidence
-
Sports5 days agoTo play or not to play is Richmond’s decision
-
Features2 days agoModi’s Sri Lanka Sojourn
-
Sports4 days agoNew Zealand under 85kg rugby team set for historic tour of Sri Lanka