History of FES in Sri Lanka

On a state visit to Germany in 1965, then Junior Minister of Local Government, R. Premadasa, invited FES to work in Sri Lanka. In his message at the occasion of the 25th anniversary of FES, Premadasa wrote: "The fostering of the democratic ideals, the broad basing of the power structure and the recognition of the sovereignty of the people were some of the objectives which we sought to achieve through this new organization in Sri Lanka."

From 1966, FES started evening classes and later on weekend seminars together with its trade union partners.

FES’ partner institute, Lanka Foundation was founded in 1967. In 1973, it was transformed to a statutory body by the enactment of the Sri Lanka Foundation (SLF) Law No 1973 by the National State Assembly.

FES in consultation with SLF planned and funded the building of the Sri Lanka Foundation Institution (SLFI) at Independence Square in Colombo 7. In 1974, the SLFI building was ceremonially opened by Prime Minister Hon. Sirimavo R.D. Bandaranaike and Mr Heinz Kuehn, President of North Rhine Westfalia. In 1979, the management of SLFI was handed over to a Sri Lankan director.

In 1978, the Head Office of SLF was set up with assistance of FES.

From 1980s, FES published numerous publications on labour issues and other topics and continued its adult education programmes.

In 1984, FES together with SLF and Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation established the Sri Lanka Television Training Institute. It was handed over to the SLF in 1990.

FES entered into an agreement with the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in 1984, in which it undertook to assist the promotion and development of adult education.