http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=French_senator_impressed_with_Lanka_progress_20130821_01

Last modified on: 8/21/2013 8:40:29 AM

French senator impressed with Lanka's progress Nathalie Goulet French senator Nathalie Goulet who concluded a four-day visit to Sri Lanka yesterday said she has already laid the ground work to form a Sri Lanka - France Parliamentary Friendship Group to foster even stronger relations between the two countries. Goulet said she had discussed with high ranking political officials in Sri Lanka about preparing a three year road map linked to the above initiative with the vision to enhance cooperation in a variety of areas, including political, trade, tourism etc. to benefit both the countries. Speaking to the media in Colombo at the end of her visit, Goulet said she was confident that the French Parliament will give the go ahead to the proposed initiative when it reconvenes in September. Goulet also noted that she intends to visit Sri Lanka again shortly with a group of at least six to seven French Senators to put the finishing touches to the initiative. Describing the visit as her first to Sri Lanka, Goulet said she was very impressed with the progress the country has achieved in a short span of four years since the conflict ended. "What impressed me most is the determination shown to achieve development and progress after such a damaging conflict" she added. Goulet describing her visit as very fruitful, met President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Defence and Urban Development Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and several officials from the Bord of Investment. Ambassodor of Sri Lanka in France Prof. Karunaratne Hangawatte speaking alongside Senator Goulet fondly remembered how the Senator defended several staffers of his embassy when they were subjected to abusive treatment by some diaspora members at a trade fair in France in which Sri Lanka took part. "On that occasion she defended my staff when some unruly diaspora members tried to attack them. Even though she did not know much about Sri Lanka at the time she stood up and said she will not allow members of any country to be mistreated in her constituency" he said, saying that the incident had sparked the beginning of a very fruitful relationship between the Lankan embassy and Goulet. Nathalie Goulet is a member of the Senate of France, representing the Orne department. She is a member of the Centrist Union, of the Commission of Foreign Affairs and Defense Forces. Courtesy : Daily News