Sri Lanka and France Strengthen Bilateral Relations at Second Round of Political Consultations

Sri Lanka and France have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations during the Second Round of Political Consultations held virtually on 9 June 2026.

The discussions were co-chaired by Sugeeshwara Gunaratna, Director-General of the Europe and North America Division of Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, and Benoit Guidée, Director for Asia and Oceania at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

Broad Areas of Cooperation

Both sides held extensive discussions on expanding cooperation in key sectors, including political engagement, maritime and defence collaboration, trade, tourism, development assistance, education, and people-to-people exchanges.

Sri Lanka also expressed appreciation for humanitarian assistance provided by France following Cyclone Ditwah.

Investment and Tourism Growth

The two countries welcomed the progress of French investments in Sri Lanka, along with the steady growth in French tourist arrivals. Ongoing development cooperation projects were also positively acknowledged during the discussions.

Maritime and Environmental Cooperation

Special attention was given to the role of the Regional Centre for Maritime Studies (RCMS). Both sides explored opportunities for deeper collaboration in maritime affairs, climate action, and sustainable ocean governance, reflecting shared priorities in environmental protection and blue economy development.

Multilateral Engagement

Sri Lanka and France also exchanged views on regional and global developments. They reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation at the United Nations and other multilateral platforms on issues of mutual interest.

The consultations were described as constructive, reflecting the longstanding diplomatic ties between the two countries and their shared interest in expanding cooperation across multiple sectors.