Germany has been supporting Sri Lanka through technical cooperation for over 50 years, with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (formerly GTZ) implementing projects there for more than 35 years, mainly on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). GIZ also receives commissions from bilateral and multilateral donors such as the European Union (EU) and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).

Twenty-five years of war between the Sri Lankan Government and the militant separatist organisation, the Tamil Tigers, finally came to an end in May 2009. The country is now experiencing a period of reconstruction characterised by strong growth rates. With the help of important neighbouring states such as China and India, as well as multilateral donors, the government is pushing forward the rehabilitation and development of Sri Lanka’s infrastructure. It is also promoting the reintegration of displaced persons and refugees, and is establishing political and social reform processes. The aim of these activities is to accelerate the economic upturn and improve the cohesion between the country’s ethnic groups.

Supporting this process is currently the main aim of German development cooperation in Sri Lanka.