France, Lanka ties progressing positively says official

Deputy External Affairs Minister Neomal Perera called on French Foreign Ministry Cabinet Director Denis Pietton last week.

During the meeting, Pietton said bilateral relations between France and Sri Lanka were progressing positively.

Acknowledging the economic ties between the two countries, Deputy Minister Perera said Sri Lanka has started to heal from 30 years of war and the challenge is now "to give back the lost opportunities to the people".

While praising President Mahinda Rajapaksa for ending the 30 year conflict, Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga said his party supports the LLRC report and its implementation.

Pietton was accompanied by Véronique Roger-Lacan, chief of the Asian Pacific Cell and Deputy Director for South Asia/French Foreign Ministry and Julien Kita, desk officer, India

Ambassador Dayan Jayatilleka, Embassy of Sri Lanka in France Second Secretary Ahamed Razee and Embassy of Sri Lanka in France Kamaya Jayatissa were also present.

Earlier in the day, Deputy Minister Perera visited the Sri Lankan embassy in Paris.

Addressing the Mission, he highlighted that the Sri Lankan Diaspora in France, comprising both the Tamil and the Sinhalese Diaporas, should be taken as an asset, as an advantage for Sri Lanka.

"We have to work for the future generations, for our children," he said.

Deputy Minister Perera had an interactive discussion with the embassy staff.