Sri Lanka's Ambassador to France Prof. Kshanika Hirimburegama, who paid a courtesy call on the Indian Ambassador in Paris, has said that Sri Lanka sees India as their “big brother.”

Sri Lankan Embassy in Paris today said Ambassador Jawed Ashraf warmly welcomed and congratulated Ambassador-designate Hirimburegama on assuming her duties in France and expressed his willingness to work in partnership with Sri Lanka.

The two Ambassadors further exchanged views on their relations with France and along with some areas of cooperation that Sri Lanka could work on to enhance their partnership with France.

Ambassador Ashraf also affirmed India’s commitment to projects promoting the blue economy, sustainable energies, and biodiversity protection.

He informed that India and France have launched 2021-22 as the Indo-French year of the Environment.

The Indian Ambassador stated that he has been impressed with Sri Lanka’s green and clean environs at every visit, adding that he believes Sri Lanka has a lot to bring to the environmental table.

They later exchanged views on their respective scientific collaboration with France and many opportunities of collaborating with some of the renowned establishments in France such as the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the French Development Agency (AFD).

The Covid-19 situation was also discussed, with the expressed hope that there will be some improvements by summer. Ambassador Hirimburegama expressed her gratitude to the Ambassador of India for the donation of vaccines to Sri Lanka which has enabled vaccination campaign to begin in earnest.