Alliance Française De Colombo Celebrates 70 Years Of Cultural And Academic Excellence

French Ambassador to Sri Lanka Rémi Lambert (second from left), Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and several other guests who attended the event 

The evening featured a live jazz performance by BlueBop, from the Music Matters Institute of Jazz, followed by a lively cocktail reception and a toast to the future of the Alliance, celebrating continued collaboration and cultural dialogue

The Alliance Française de Colombo marked its 70th anniversary in a vibrant celebration that brought together diplomats, academics, artists, and institutional partners, reaffirming its pivotal role in promoting French language, culture, and ideas exchange in Sri Lanka.

The evening was graced by Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, former President of Sri Lanka, alongside His Excellency Rémi Lambert, Ambassador of France, the Ambassador of Turkey, representatives from embassies, high commissions, the UN, the EU delegation, universities, schools, and leading cultural collaborators.
M. Janaka Balasuriya, President of the Alliance, highlighted the long history of collaboration between the Alliance and Sri Lanka, emphasising its role as a launchpad for personal and professional journeys. He also spoke about innovative programmes in French for Professional Purposes, integration of artificial intelligence in learning, and the Alliance’s busy 2025 calendar of 58 events.
His Excellency Rémi Lambert, Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, highlighted the shared history between France and Sri Lanka, remarking that the Alliance Française has been a steadfast partner almost as long as the country’s independence. He congratulated the organisation of the Alliance network and lauded the dedication of the President and the committee.
The Director of the Alliance expressed gratitude to the Alliance’s partners and collaborators, noting the strength of its global network of 830 Alliances in 135 countries, the five Alliances in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, partnerships with EUNIC clusters, and collaborations with German institutions. She reinforced the Alliance’s mission as a safe and inclusive space for artistic and intellectual exchange.
The evening featured a live jazz performance by BlueBop, from the Music Matters Institute of Jazz, followed by a lively cocktail reception and a toast to the future of the Alliance, celebrating continued collaboration and cultural dialogue.
The 70th anniversary of the Alliance Française de Colombo stands as a testament to decades of partnership, creativity, and the enduring role of the French language as a bridge to new opportunities.