German delegation visits German-funded projects in Uva and Galle

Tuesday, 17 March 2020 00:56 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

German parliamentary delegation, German Embassy Deputy Ambassador Andreas Berg, GIZ Country Director Christiane Einfeldt and staff representatives of the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in front of the PICU building

After concluding discussions and consultations with senior Government members, Opposition members and civil society representatives in Colombo, the cross-party parliamentary delegation, headed by Dr. Peter Ramsauer who arrived in Sri Lanka at the end of February visited German-funded projects in the Uva Province and Galle.

During their trip to Uva, the high-ranking delegation visited Ecowave Spices factory in Buttala. The GIZ (German Development Corporation) supports spice farmers under its SME Sector Development Program that aims to assist Small and Medium Enterprises in gaining better access to the national and international markets.

The delegation had the opportunity of visiting the spice farm and to witness the community of small-scale farmers and rural families that benefit from this project and how it in turn improves their livelihoods.

From Uva they travelled to Galle where they made an information visit to the construction site of the Maternity Hospital in Karapitiya. The Maternity Hospital, which is expected to be equipped with all modern facilities once it is completed, is an initiative by former Chancellor Helmut Kohl and marks a milestone in the longstanding relations between the two countries.

Germany has supported the implementation of this project with soft loans and grants amounting to 43 million euros. The delegation, which was accompanied by the German Embassy and German Government-owned development bank KfW officials, as well as all stakeholders involved in the execution of this project expressed the hope that the hospital can be inaugurated this summer.

Galle district MoP and Minister Ramesh Pathirana and Ministry of Health Secretary Bhadrani Jayawardana also participated in the visit.

The delegation then made a visit to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle which receives support from Lions Clubs of Hanover and Hikkaduwa as well as equipment donations and medical training from the Medical University of Hanover. The German MPs were briefed about the impressive positive transition the PICU has undergone since 2004 with the private assistance from Germany.

Group photo captured during the visit of the delegation to Ecowave Spices factory in Buttala which is supported under the SME Sector Development Program of GIZ

Stakeholders involved in the Galle Maternity Hospital project briefing the delegation about its recent developments

Head of delegation Dr. Peter Ramsauer and Deputy Ambassador Berg pictured with the farming community during their visit to the spice factory and farm in Buttala