French President congratulates Sri Lanka on 72nd Independence Day

French President has congratulated Sri Lanka on its 72nd Independence Day marked on 4 February.

Following is Macron’s message to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa:

Emmanuel Macron

 “Dear Mr. President,

“I would like to extend to you my warmest wishes on the occasion of the National Day of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, both on my own behalf and that of the French people.

“Following the terrible attacks of 21 April 2019, I hope that, for Sri Lanka, 2020 will be a year of peace, prosperity and promotion of national reconciliation, democracy and human rights, in order to weaken the desire of certain groups to provoke hatred.

“France and Sri Lanka have long-standing and friendly relations. In coordination with the Sri Lankan authorities, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) is currently carrying out particularly ambitious basic infrastructure projects which will benefit the entire Sri Lankan population in the fields of water, energy and climate resilience.

“Through the synergies which already exist between our two countries, I hope that the coming months will be an opportunity to deepen our cooperation within the framework of our vision for the Indo-Pacific as a multipolar, open and inclusive area which respects international law. We could focus especially on regional security, the promotion of responsible and sustainable development and increasing our trade, human and cultural exchanges. “In the light of this, I offer you once more my sincerest wishes. Please be assured, President, of my highest consideration.