French envoy impressed by development

French Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Christine Robichon toured the North and East as well as areas in the South of the country to oversee development projects being carried out.

She visited Matara, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts and met Government Agents, representatives of civil society and local politicians.

In Matara, she was received by the Ruhuna University Deputy Vice Chancellor. She visited centers run by local NGOs providing support and training to vulnerable groups, particularly children and young people. She also attended the Annual General Meeting of the Alliance Francaise in Matara and Galle.

During her three days in Vanni, the ambassador observed progress in the development of the region and the improvement of infrastructure facilities.

After her visit to the garment factory opened by the Hirdaramani group in Vavuniya, she said: "It is encouraging to see that a private Sri Lankan company, exporting to France, is creating jobs and employing women, in a region where many of them are breadwinners. I was impressed to see how the Tamil and Sinhalese employees quickly developed a team spirit despite the language barrier."

In Vavuniya, the ambassador visited the Family Tracing Unit supported by UNICEF, which aims at reunifying missing children with their parents.

In Kilinochchi, she was briefed by representatives of UNHCR and other UN agencies on their humanitarian activities.

In Pudukkudiyiruppu DS Division, she spoke with former IDPs who came back to their land and others who have been relocated to the Kombavil new village.

"The decision to launch the demining process in the coastal GN in Maritimepattu is good news for these people," Robichon said.

In Mullaitivu, she met members of the Muslim community, who came back to their land after 20 years and benefitted from small grants to start a business.