ECONOMYNEXT – The French Senate’s France-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Group chair Vanina Paoli-Gagin has discussed support for increasing exports to the EU, Sri Lanka tourism and other bilateral ties with Minister Vijitha Herath. The visiting French Senate delegation met Herath at the Ministry premises this week. Sri Lanka’s application for GSP+ concession extension was discussed, and the delegation ‘assured’ that France will extend positive support in this regard, a foreign ministry statement said.
Herath discussed increasing French tourist numbers to the island with Air France. Paoli-Gagin pointed out the activities of the Regional Centre for Maritime Studies (RCMS) in enhancing cooperation between the two countries. Both sides agreed to cooperate on capacity building programs, according to the statement. (Colombo/Apr23/2026)