French Ambassador Eric Lavertu who called on Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has said France is keen to be a part of the development of the Hambantota Port. According to the Prime Minister’s Media Division, Ambassador Lavertu has said that France is also in the market for more Sri Lankan products, indicating a potential to increase trade relations between the two countries. The Ambassador mentioned that a number of government sector employees are already pursuing advance studies at French higher educational institutions and that the two countries could collaborate on more student exchange programs. “France is keen on establishing more people-to-people contact with Sri Lanka, through initiatives such as scholarship and exchange programs,” he said. During the courtesy call, the French Ambassador congratulated the Prime Minister on the election victory and spoke highly about the Government’s handling of the pandemic. “We’re all in the same boat,” Ambassador Lavertu said while opining that the low COVID-19 related death rate in Sri Lanka is indicative of the good healthcare infrastructure that Sri Lanka has invested in throughout the years. Prime Minister Rajapaksa said that the Government’s first priority is to deal with bringing the pandemic situation under control. Thereafter, the focus will be on economic development, the Prime Minister added.