Germany will ask President Anura Kumara Dissanayake about steps being taken by his government for the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), reconciliation and addressing wartime accountability issues during his upcoming visit there, the Daily Mirror has learnt.
Germany, along with other Western powers, has been pushing for the repeal of the PTA for a long time.
The President will travel to Germany on June 11, the fourth such official visit undertaken by him after becoming the Head of State. Previously, he visited India, China, the United Arab Emirates and Viet Nam. During his German visit, he will hold talks with Foreign Minister Boris Pistorius, Defence Minister Katherina Reiche.
However, the meetings with other Cabinet Ministers of the current Federal Government have not yet been confirmed, as reported to the Daily Mirror. It is learnt that the visit will open the door for talks with other Cabinet Ministers in areas such as investments, Germany as a market for Sri Lankan exports, migration of skilled workforce and vocational training.
He will also not meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Instead, President Dissanayake will meet the Federal President of Germany Frank Walter Steinmeier, as confirmed at the moment. In Germany, the Chancellor is the Head of Government with all executive powers, whereas the Federal President is Head of State with protocol duties.
The Chancellor has a prominent position in the government. He or she is, as it were, the “captain” of the ship of state. The Chancellor determines who will be in the government, since he or she alone has the right to form the Cabinet. The Chancellor chooses his ministers and makes a proposal that is binding for the Federal President with regard to their appointment (or dismissal). He or she determines the number of Ministers and defines their terms of reference. The Chancellor determines the general guidelines of government policy, the German government says.
The president represents the Federal Republic of Germany in matters of international law, concludes treaties with foreign states on its behalf, and accredits diplomats.