A statement by former Member of Parliament Hirunika Premachandra claiming that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent trip to Germany was a private visit has been fact-checked and found to be incorrect. Official government statements and media reports confirm the visit was a formal, diplomatic engagement.

Link : https://x.com/SPriyawickrama/status/1959940313742729480

The claim, made during an interview with journalist Manjula Basnayake on the News Center YouTube channel on July 23, was investigated by FactSeeker, a fact-checking initiative.

The core of Premachandra’s claim was that the President’s visit to Germany, from June 11 to June 13, 2025, lacked official status and was merely for personal or party-related matters. However, a review of official sources reveals a different picture.

Official Welcome and Diplomatic Protocol

The visit was undertaken at the official invitation of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Upon his arrival at Bellevue Palace in Berlin, President Dissanayake was received with full state honors, including a ceremonial Guard of Honour by the German Armed Forces. This level of protocol is a clear indicator of a high-level diplomatic visit.

Source : https://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=109483

https://mfa.gov.lk/en/president-anura-kumara-disanayaka-concludes-official-visit-to-germany/#:~:text=President%20Anura%20Kumara%20Disanayaka’s%20first,with%20the%20German%20tourism%20industry.

Evidence: The Presidential Media Division (PMD) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs both released statements confirming the official nature of the visit and the formal welcome ceremony. The PMD’s website, in a news release dated June 11, 2025, stated, “The official welcome ceremony, hosted by German President Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, will take place this afternoon at Bellevue Palace in Berlin.” (Source: President’s Office)

Comprehensive Official Agenda

The President’s schedule in Germany was not a private itinerary but was packed with official engagements aimed at strengthening bilateral relations. The agenda included meetings and forums that were publicly announced and reported on.

Bilateral Meetings: The President held official talks with his German counterpart, President Steinmeier, as well as meetings with key German ministers and senior government leaders.

Economic Engagements: He chaired a business forum organized by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry and met with representatives from Germany’s tourism and travel associations.

Source: A press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dated June 14, 2025, detailed the successful conclusion of the official visit, highlighting “bilateral political meetings, a business roundtable, and an engagement with the German tourism industry.” (Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Community Meeting Was Part of the Official Schedule
The second claim made by Premachandra—that the President also met with his party members during the official trip—is also addressed in the official record. While a meeting with party members did occur, it was not a separate, private event but a planned part of the official agenda to engage with the Sri Lankan community in Germany.

Link : https://x.com/NewsCenterLk/status/1959983970826994052

Evidence: When FactSeeker inquired, the Director-General of the President’s Media, Prasanna Perera, confirmed that a meeting with the Sri Lankan diaspora was on the official schedule for the final day of the visit. This meeting, which brought together Sri Lankan entrepreneurs and professionals, was organized by the local community, including members of the National People’s Power (NPP) party.  (Source: https://pmd.gov.lk/news/day-three-of-presidents-official-visit-to-germany/#:~:text=In%20the%20afternoon%2C%20the%20President,Lankan%20community%20residing%20in%20Germany.)

Conclusion
Based on a review of official government press releases, statements from relevant ministries, and reports from multiple reputable news outlets, FactSeeker confirms that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to Germany was a formal diplomatic visit. The claims that it was a private trip, as stated by Hirunika Premachandra, are demonstrably false.