Former Prime Minister and Leader of the United National Party Ranil Wickremesinghe has commended Germany and Norway for the good work done on curbing the spread of the coronavirus. Wickremesinghe in a letter addressed to Germany's chancellor, Angela Merkel said, “I am confident that under Your Excellency’s leadership Germany is able to recover rapidly from the disruptions created by the coronavirus to the economy and public life. The steps taken to control the spreading of the virus to bring back normalcy by your government could be considered as best examples to be followed by other countries.” Writing to the Prime Minister of Norway Erna Solberg, he said, "I am sure that the dramatic and timely measures taken by Your Excellency’s government has paved the way for Norway to relax some of the emergency measures taken to control the pandemic . It is heartening to note that Norway has been able to take control of the outbreak." "The people of Norway possess the strength and courage required to overcome this pandemic and march toward prosperity," Wickremesinghe added. Germany and Norway are members of the International Democrat Union(IDU). Wickremesinghe is the IDU Vice Chairman (ex officio) since 2005 and the Chairman of the Asia Pacific Democrat Union.