AFKO inaugurates its new premises

The Alliance Française de Kotte officially inaugurated its new premises recently under the distinguished patronage of the Ambassador of France in Sri Lanka Mme Christine Robichon.

Present on the occasion were the President of the Alliance Française de Kotte, well-known entrepreneur and Director of Connaissance de Ceylan, Chandra Wickramasinghe and Délégué Général of the Fondation Alliance Française in Paris, Bertrand Dufieux, members of the diplomatic community, as well as numerous Sri Lankan and French friends, partners and supporters of the institution.

Located at No 18 Coniston Place, in Colombo 7, it is conveniently accessed both from Torrington Avenue and Bauddhaloka Mawatha.

This large building with its many spacious classrooms is more functional than the former premises, given the fact that the number of students has increased rapidly. New registrations have already exceeded the 500 mark for the first term of 2012.

“As you know, the Alliance Française de Kotte (AFKO) was created in April 2010 by Sri Lankan friends of France with the full support of the Embassy of France in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. It is the only Alliance Française in Colombo which is fully recognized by the French authorities in Sri Lanka and France. Alliance Française de Kotte works both in educational and cultural matters within the framework of the Chart of Quality of the Foundation Alliance Française shared by the worldwide network of 1042 alliances teaching French language to more than 435 000 students from all walks of life.

Alliance Française de Kotte is the sole body in the capital of Sri Lanka which organizes and delivers on behalf of the French Ministry of Education, the international examinations and diplomas DELF and DALF for adults and juniors alike,” explained the Director of AFKO, Bertrand Dufieux.

“Today, the Alliance Française de Kotte belongs to a network of five similar Alliances in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Last year alone, AFKO prepared more than 1200 students in the learning of the French language. Our network is the only one to offer international French language diplomas and certifications which are recognized worldwide”, he added.

The President of the Alliance Française de Kotte, Chandra Wickramasinghe, precised that “the institution works closely with the Embassy of France, being also the privileged operator of the Cultural Cooperation between Sri Lanka and France”.

As a proof of the amicable Franco – Sri Lankan relationship, a beautiful musical performance took place at the inauguration by singer Menaka de Fonseka and pianist Premila Perinpanayagam, a performance which was very greatly appreciated by the numerous Sri Lankan and French guests present that evening.