Speaking exclusive to Ada Derana first at 9, Sri Lanka's Ambassador to France B.K. Athauda noted that revival of the tourism sector in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attacks is not a responsibility that should merely lie with Sri Lanka bureaucrats.

Ambassador Athauda notes that, the whole country including diplomats have a major role to play by lending their support to revive the tourism sector and Sri Lanka should start  investing more money for tourism promotion activities and should start working close with more airlines.

Meanwhile highlighting upon, Sri Lanka-France Economic Relationship, Ambassador Athauda noted that there would be a stronger French business presence in Sri Lanka during the coming years.

“With France specifically we are working on agriculture sector, power and energy, culture, technology, logistics and transportation. So these are very large big project, so the economic relationship between France and Sri Lanka will go to a very high level from a very low level from before and we have done the basic foundation for these things. In the next year you will see many French business presence in Sri Lanka.”   He noted.

“We already have Michelin Tire Manufactures moving in to Sri Lanka in a very big way and now this transport hub. With the Megapolis we are working very big projects. Hopefully we can do some Energy sector. We are working with Sri Lankan ministers, and the Sri Lankan leaders and the French companies. So we have a very deep and good relationship with French business world now.” He added.

Speaking further Ambassador Athauda noted that, a bridge should be created for Sri Lankans residing in France to enter and do business with Sri Lanka.