France reiterates support for Sri Lanka marking 75th year of diplomatic ties

By Surya Vishwa 

Economic and cultural association between France and Sri Lanka will be strengthened further as the two countries commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties on 27 October 2023, French Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Jean-François Pactet said Thursday, as the two countries announced a series of commemorative events.

“The celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and France is an opportunity to highlight our longstanding friendship through the arts and bring in the best of French modern culture to Sri Lanka, with a focus on visual arts, music and the cinema. We are also focusing on economic ties and have planned several initiatives supporting the economy and the development of Sri Lanka,” Ambassador Jean-François Pactet said.

He was addressing a press briefing at the Alliance Francaise on 5 October represented by officials of the French Embassy, Sri Lanka Foreign  Ministry officials, members of the private sector in Colombo as well as the staff of Alliance Française together with Sri Lankans associated with France and extending support to the anniversary celebration activities.

Sri Lanka looks at enhancing cooperation with France to benefit the best interests of both countries, while marking this historic milestone of diplomatic relations, the Foreign Affairs Ministry Secretary, Aruni Wijewardena said addressing the media conference.

The establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries commenced on 27 October, 1948 and the 75th anniversary was highlighted by President Emmanuel Macron and President Ranil Wickremesinghe during their meeting on the historic occasion of the first visit of a French President to Sri Lanka on 28 July.

In line with the exchange between the Heads of State, several events have been scheduled to celebrate the longstanding friendship between France and Sri Lanka, slated to take place over the months of October, November and December 2023.

Significantly, France and Sri Lanka would hold bilateral political consultations in October between senior officials from the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs. The discussions will focus on strengthening cooperation in various sectors including regional cooperation, climate change, sustainable development and maritime safety and security.

The 75th anniversary celebratory events formally began in Colombo, celebrating Street Art with the French mural artist Sandre. Sandre created artwork at the Alliance Française Colombo in a Wall Art Festival project which was open to the public from 2 to 5 October, and organised by the network of Alliance Française and the Institut Français in India. 

It was followed by the Choose France Education Fair 2023 held on Friday (6) arranged by Campus France Sri Lanka and the French Embassy. The education fair at the BMICH (BCIS), welcomed representatives of 13 French higher education institutions providing Sri Lankan students the opportunity to learn more about French higher education and programs taught in English in France.

Among the array of anniversary commemoration events in the upcoming weeks is a gala evening on 21 October to celebrate the many years of linguistic and cultural sharing between the two countries, Alliance Française dedicating a cultural evening to all its members and former students, presenting both French and Sri Lankan art and culinary traditions.

“Toyo”, a young-audience circus show is scheduled to be held with the Cie Les Colporteurs featuring French artists of the Cie Les Colporteurs who will conduct workshops for schools and young audiences on 26 and 27 October.

Another event, “Midi-Minuit,” an exhibition presenting 11 augmented reality posters and art prints by 11 young artists is to be conducted from 2 to 8 November where viewers can discover the posters in motion, downloading a free application onto their Smartphones at the Alliance Française, Colombo.