Macron becomes 1st French leader to visit Sri Lanka

French president pays short visit to Indian Ocean island nation late Friday

By Dildar Baykan Atalay

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Sri Lanka late Friday, marking the first visit by a French leader to the Indian Ocean island nation.

Macron visited the country on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between France and Sri Lanka, Radio French International (RFI) reported.

He stayed at the airport in the capital Colombo for two hours during his visit and met with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, according to RFI.

Macron pledged to Sri Lanka, which is going through difficult economic times, to support its debt restructuring.

In a written statement, Wickremesinghe also drew attention to the role of France in international relations.

Kaynak: