Is the free 30 day tourist ETA still valid for Germany and how do I avoid the fake sites

Yes. The government fast-tracked the free 30-day ETA for 40 countries specifically to counter the arrivals slump earlier this year, and Germany is on the eligible list. The fee is genuinely zero, but it is NOT visa-free: you still must apply and get approval online before you fly. Use ONLY the official government portal (the gov.lk ETA site). Approval usually lands within a day or two. The ETA gives 30 days and can be extended once inside the country at the immigration office in Colombo.