PARLIAMENT

Hon. Minister of Women and Child Affairs, (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj, was elected as the Chairperson of the Sri Lanka - France Parliamentary Friendship Association for the Tenth Parliament.

The meeting to re-establish the Sri Lanka - France Parliamentary Friendship Association was held on March 21st, 2025, at the Parliament, under the patronage of Hon. Speaker (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne. During this occasion, the Hon. Minister was elected as the Chairperson. The Charge d affaires of the French Embassy in Sri Lanka, Marie-Noelle Duris, was present as the chief guest.

Hon. Member of Parliament Lal Premanath was elected as the Secretary of the Sri Lanka - France Parliamentary Friendship Association.

Hon. Speaker (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne, expressing his views, recalled the 75-year-long bilateral relations between France and Sri Lanka and emphasized that the Parliamentary Friendship Association serves as a significant platform for strengthening these ties. Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of working closely to enhance bilateral relations in areas such as tourism, investment, education, maritime security, and climate change legislation to ensure maximum benefits for both parties.

The Charge d affaires of the French Embassy in Sri Lanka, Marie-Noelle Duris, also addressed the gathering, underscoring the importance of the Friendship Association in further strengthening the cordial relations between the two countries. She also mentioned that the Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Association in the French Parliament, Hon. Suviyu Buhuva, along with a delegation, anticipates meeting representatives of the Sri Lankan Parliament. Extending her best wishes to the newly appointed office bearers of the Sri Lanka - France Parliamentary Friendship Association, she highlighted the potential for mutual understanding and collaboration between the two countries in areas such as culture, education, tourism, economy, women's rights, gender equality, and human rights.

Expressing her gratitude upon being elected as the Chairperson, Hon. Minister (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj appreciated France’s longstanding diplomatic cooperation with Sri Lanka over the past 75 years. She particularly emphasized the importance of strengthening Sri Lanka-France relations in the fields of education, culture, and economy and encouraged all members to work together in this regard.

Delivering the vote of thanks, Hon. Member of Parliament Lal Premanath, the Secretary of the Association, reaffirmed that the Friendship Association would continue to strengthen the long-standing relations between France and Sri Lanka.

The event was attended by Hon. Ministers, Hon. Deputy Ministers, Hon. Members of Parliament, the Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of the Parliament, Mr. Chaminda Kularatne, and several other dignitaries.