President Anura will visit France at a mutually convenient time; Minister Nalinda
16-Jul-2026.
Health and Media Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said that Sri Lanka appreciates the invitation extended by French President Emmanuel Macron to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to visit France.
He expressed confidence that the visit would take place at a time convenient to both countries and would become another historic milestone in the high-level political relations between Sri Lanka and France.
The Minister also stated that the Sri Lankan Government highly values the long-standing development cooperation maintained by the French Development Agency (AFD) with Sri Lanka, particularly France’s strong support as the Chair of the Paris Club during the recent debt restructuring process.
These remarks were made at the French National Day celebrations organised by the French Embassy in Colombo at the Colombo Hilton Hotel.
The event was held under the patronage of French Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Rémi Lambert. Health and Media Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa attended as the Chief Guest, along with diplomats representing several countries, ministers, government officials and other dignitaries.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said:
“We appreciate the invitation extended by President Emmanuel Macron to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to visit France. We hope that this visit will take place at a mutually convenient time and will become another historic milestone in the high-level political relations between the two countries.
It gives me great honour and pleasure to join you this evening in celebrating the National Day of the French Republic.
On behalf of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Government and people of Sri Lanka, and on my own behalf, I extend our warmest greetings and best wishes to President Emmanuel Macron, the Government of France and the people of France.
Today, we also celebrate the noble values upheld by the French Republic: Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.
The friendship between Sri Lanka and France has developed over centuries through maritime trade networks across the Indian Ocean. Historical relations between the two countries date back to the 17th century.
Following Sri Lanka’s independence in 1948, France was among the first European countries to establish diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka. This became the foundation for the strong and multifaceted partnership we enjoy today.
These relations continue to expand across various fields, including political dialogue, trade and investment, development cooperation, maritime cooperation, climate change, education, tourism and people-to-people connections.
In recent years, Sri Lanka–France bilateral relations have achieved significant progress. President Emmanuel Macron’s historic visit to Sri Lanka in 2023 marked the first-ever visit by a French President to Sri Lanka.
The meeting between the Presidents of France and Sri Lanka during the AI Impact Summit held in India in 2026 was another important moment. Furthermore, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya’s visit to France from March 31 to April 2, 2025, to participate in a UNESCO-organised experts’ conference further strengthened bilateral relations.
We appreciate President Emmanuel Macron’s invitation to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to visit France. We hope this visit will take place at a mutually convenient time and become another historic milestone in our high-level political relations.
Several important developments have taken place in bilateral relations in recent years. The second political consultation between the two Foreign Ministries was held in June 2026. A Regional Maritime Research Centre was established in Sri Lanka in 2024. The French Development Agency has also established its South Asia regional office in Colombo.
We also warmly recall the visit to Sri Lanka in April 2026 by a four-member French parliamentary delegation led by Senator Vannina Paoli-Gagin, Chair of the France–Sri Lanka Friendship Group in the French Senate. The visit helped strengthen parliamentary relations and explore new areas of cooperation.
Sri Lanka greatly appreciates France’s constructive contribution to development cooperation since 1970. Financial assistance provided by France for national development projects has contributed significantly to Sri Lanka’s economic progress.
The Government of Sri Lanka highly values the long-term development partnership maintained by the French Development Agency, particularly France’s firm support as Chair of the Paris Club during Sri Lanka’s recent debt restructuring process.
Expanding economic cooperation between the two countries remains an important objective. France continues to be one of Sri Lanka’s key partners within the European Union. France has also supported the continuation of duty-free concessions for Sri Lankan exports under the EU GSP Plus scheme.
Bilateral trade has remained at around US$350–400 million during recent years. France is also an important investment partner for Sri Lanka. In 2025, France was among the top five countries providing foreign direct investment to Sri Lanka, with notable investments particularly in manufacturing, tourism and apparel sectors.
Tourism relations have also shown positive growth. France is the seventh-largest source market among tourists visiting Sri Lanka.
As maritime nations connected by the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka and France share common interests in maritime security, protection of the marine environment and ocean governance.
Sri Lanka looks forward to working with France in areas such as technological cooperation, capacity building, maritime security, prevention of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing), disaster risk management, marine conservation and the blue economy.
I also recall with pleasure Sri Lanka’s participation in the historic international agreement on the conservation of marine biological diversity beyond national jurisdiction. We appreciate France’s leadership in bringing this agreement into effect.
People-to-people relations remain the foundation of Sri Lanka–France relations. The Sri Lankan community living in France makes valuable contributions to both countries and serves as a bridge of friendship between our peoples.
For several decades, Alliance Française has promoted the French language and culture in Sri Lanka, adding unique closeness and vitality to bilateral relations.
We express our gratitude for the prompt assistance provided by France following Cyclone Ditwah, including two drinking water purification systems, emergency relief supplies and financial assistance through the European Union regional office. We hope France will continue supporting affected communities and reconstruction of essential infrastructure.
I extend my sincere appreciation to French Ambassador Rémi Lambert, a true friend of Sri Lanka. Your dedicated service and the commitment of your capable team have played an important role in further strengthening Sri Lanka–France relations.
As we celebrate French National Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to further strengthening friendship and cooperation between our two nations. Together, we will realise the full potential of this partnership for the mutual benefit of our peoples,” he said.
