Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Jean-François Pactet  passed away yesterday at his residence, according to the information from the Police.

The French embassy in Colombo issued a press release confirming his demise last evening. 

Pactet served in the post from October 2022. Last year (2023) marked the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between France and Sri Lanka, and Ambassador Pactet organised a range of activities to mark the anniversary. 

Jean-François Pactet was previously Deputy Director of Culture and Education in the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in charge of developing/networking French language and cultural centres abroad and supporting international cooperation activities of French cultural and academic institutions.

A career diplomat, Pactet held numerous positions in the French diplomatic service, being posted in several countries prior to Sri Lanka. He has also served as the Deputy Spokesperson of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.