President of France Emmanuel Macron made a historic visit to Sri Lanka yesterday (28), following his trip to the South Pacific Region.
This visit marked the first time a French President had visited the country.
During the visit, President Ranil Wickremesinghe and President Macron held friendly and productive bilateral discussions which lasted for an hour and fifteen minutes.
The President’s Media Division said the main objective was to enhance and elevate the existing relations between Sri Lanka and France, especially considering the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic ties being celebrated this year.
President Wickremesinghe expressed admiration for France’s significant role in global affairs, particularly in areas such as climate mitigation, global debt restructuring, and matters related to the Indo-Pacific region.
President Macron recalled his recent conversations with President Wickremesinghe in Paris, which took place during the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact.
He reaffirmed France’s willingness and commitment to supporting Sri Lanka in its economic recovery.
As the fourth-largest creditor to Sri Lanka, France pledged its assistance in the debt restructuring process, aiming for a positive outcome for the country.
In a Twitter post following the discussions, President Macron stated, “Sri Lanka and France are two nations in Indian Ocean sharing the same goal: an open, inclusive and prosper indo-pacific. In Colombo we confirmed it: strong as in our 75 years of diplomatic relations, we would open a new era to our partnership.”
The discussions between the two leaders focused on strengthening cooperation in various sectors, including politics, economics, tourism, climate change, sustainable development, and maritime activities. As part of the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, several specific areas for further collaboration were identified.
The PMD added these areas of cooperation included the establishment of a school for maritime safety and security, the opening of a permanent office for the French Agency for Development (AFD) in Sri Lanka, the initiation of high-level diplomatic dialogues, cooperation in the education sector, and the enhancement of efforts to combat human trafficking in the maritime safety and security sector.
Additionally, both leaders exchanged views on topics of regional and multilateral interest in the current global context.
President Macron expressed keen interest in collaborating with Sri Lanka during its upcoming chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), of which France is a member.
In turn, President Wickremesinghe showed interest in the Indian Ocean Commission, where France actively participates.
President Wickremesinghe praised President Macron’s timely initiative in organizing the event held in Paris in June, which he attended.
The Head of State also conveyed Sri Lanka’s agreement to join the Paris Agenda for the People and the Planet, emphasizing the country’s commitment to global efforts for a sustainable future.
The French delegation accompanying President Emmanuel Macron for bilateral discussions included the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Mrs Catherine Colonna, Ambassador of France in Sri Lanka and Maldives Mr Jean-Francoise Pactet, Advisors to the French President Mr Fabien Mandon, Mr Walid Fouque and Mr Josue Serres, Head of Asia Department of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr Benoit Guidee, the Press Counsellor of the President of France Mr Jonas Bayard, State Minister for overseas territories Philippe Vigier and Advisor of the French Minister of Foreign Affairs Florian Cardinaux.
The Sri Lankan delegation comprised of Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Ali Sabry, the Senior Advisor to the President on National security and Chief of Staff Mr Sagala Ratnayaka, Secretary to the President Mr Saman Ekanayake, Foreign Secretary Ms Aruni Wijewardane, Central Bank Governor Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe, Economic Advisor to the President Dr R.H.S. Samaratunge, Director General/Europe & North America the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka Ms Shobini Gunasekera and Mr Randula Abeyweera, Director Youth and Sustainable Development to the President.
Five suspects including the Tangalle Excise OIC who were arrested over kidnapping and assaulting a Beedi businessman in Walasmulla, have been remanded till October 5 after being produced in the Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court.
The Excise OIC, two other excise officers and a driver from the Tangalle Excise Station and an army sergeant are among the remanded suspects.
The business license of the businessman residing in Maraketiya, Rajapuragoda in Walasmulla expired on June 26.
A team of excise officials including the OIC of the Tangalle Excise Station had arrived at his house on September 18 and seized the Beedi leaves.
Excise officials had demanded Rs.1.4 million from the businessman not to take legal action in this regard.
They had taken the businessman away in a three-wheeler, beaten him up, and then had taken an amount of Rs.1 million by force.
A nearby CCTV camera has captured the excise officers kidnapping the businessman.
Meanwhile, the four Excise officers were interdicted by the Commissioner General of Excise.
The decision has been taken following the instruction of State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya.
The four Excise officers were interdicted over the allegations of assault and soliciting a bribe from the Beedi manufacturer for not implementing the law against him for possession of Beedi leaves without a license.
The 109-year-old Magala Kottachchi Nandiyas, a resident of Kappettiagoda in Galle, is the oldest citizen in Sri Lanka, the National Secretariat for Elders confirmed.
According to his identity card, Nandiyas was born on June 3, 1914. Nandiyas, who lives a very healthy life even now, is a farmer by profession.
Although he had only gone up to grade five, he can read and write.
It is said that the reason for this senior citizen’s healthy lifestyle is the toxic-free nutritious diet.
Until recently, he has cultivated potatoes, sweet potatoes, and even cassava in his home garden.
He is a father of four and a grandfather of four grandchildren. The youngest grandson is now five years old.
Nandiyas is fondly called ‘Loku Aiya’ or Big Brother by the whole village.
The beloved wife of Mr. Nandiyas had passed away some time ago.
Although he has recently developed a hearing impairment, his memory is still intact.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that a new legislation has been drafted to transform the Port City as the Colombo Financial Zone.
President Wickremesinghe said this in his address at the 2023 Commercial Mediation Symposium at Colombo’s Hilton Hotel, the President’s Media Division said.
The event was organized by International Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre (IADRC).
The President underscored the significance of international trade agreements and the need for Sri Lanka to become a center for alternate dispute resolution.
He urged legal professionals to look beyond Sri Lanka’s borders and specialize in emerging fields like AI, Blockchain and green energy to secure the nation’s competitive future.
“Now we want Sri Lanka to be a center. One is the new legislation which will replace the port city to make it a Colombo financial zone with jurisdiction for offshore activity. The new law has been drafted. And we will see the light of day before the end of the year.”
“Secondly, the BOI will be replaced with the Economic Commission. Which is also looking at the resolution of disputes. We will be entering a number of free trade agreements. We have got one with Singapore. We are about to finalize one with Thailand. We are discussing with India to upgrade the agreement. Talking with Bangladesh. And more than that, we are moving to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). That’s the largest trading community in the world. So this means that alternate dispute resolutions are going to be important.”
In a final call to action, he offered government funding to support learning and expertise development in these new areas, inviting all stakeholders to join in the journey towards a more efficient and forward-looking legal landscape in Sri Lanka.
President Wickremesinghe emphasized that Sri Lanka must position itself as the central player in the region. When examining Singapore as a benchmark, Sri Lanka should strive to match or surpass Singapore in various aspects, except for cost, where it should maintain a competitive advantage.
This approach is crucial because there exists a noticeable void in this region, which Sri Lanka can effectively fill if it acts swiftly.
“This is the key lesson to be derived. Furthermore, it is essential for all lawyers and individuals involved in legal services to broaden their perspectives and explore opportunities beyond their current scope,” the President added.
Meanwhile, he acknowledged the long-standing reliance on trial courts and stressed the importance of embracing alternate dispute resolution methods.
Highlighting the government’s commitment, he mentioned the establishment of the Alternate Dispute Resolution Center in 2018 and expressed support for its continued growth.
President Wickremesinghe urged the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Investments to collaborate on supporting these initiatives.
“Alternate dispute resolution, arbitration, both have a long way to travel in Sri Lanka and that’s our problem. We have to first find ways of how we can adjust to this process. You need a change of culture. Change of culture where disputes can be resolved in the shortest possible time. Which means we are in a way wedded to the old concept of the trial court? Whether we have a domestic inquiry, we all want to follow the same procedure. I don’t know why. But nevertheless, this is one of the challenges that we have to face.”
He emphasized that success in dispute resolution was crucial for Sri Lanka’s aspirations to be an outward-looking economy.
The event was attended by Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, State Minister Anuradha Jayarathne, Judges of the Supreme Court, Attorney General, Former Attorney Generals, Retired Judges of the Supreme Court, Resident Representative of UNDP Azusa Kubota, Secretary to the Ministry of Justice, IADRC Chairman Dr. K. Kanag-Isvaran, Director & Secretary General of IADRC Dhara Wijayatilake, legal professionals and the representatives of reputed companies in Sri Lanka.