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The Alliance Francaise, back on its feet and stronger than ever
Founded in 1954, with the objective promoting French culture and language, the Alliance Francaise in Si Lanka, boasts a network of five independent campuses in Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Matara, and Jaffna. After a tumultuous recent history, Alliance Francaise of Kotte in Colombo is now poised to start a new era by reclaiming its true-self in a spectacular homecoming to its beautiful and historic campus at No. 11, Barnes Place, Colombo 7.
The Alliances in Sri Lanka are a part of a much larger community. The first of the international network of over 800 Alliances, was founded in 1884 in Paris under the patronage of prominent historical figures such as Louis Pasteur and Jules a Verne and it is today, the largest network Of cultural and French language training Centres in the world, teaching French to more than 470 000 students in all five Continents.
The Alliance Francaise is multi-faceted. It is a cultural centre, a language Centre and an examination centre for internationally recognised French proficiency tests, a media centre, a translations centre, and a higher-education information centre for those who wish to study in France.
As a cultural centre, the Alliance Française de Kotte (AFKo) organises events throughout the year to promote a meaningful exchange between Sri Lankan and French cultures, bringing the best of France to the local population, involving both the local and expat communities. These include concerts, exhibitions, movie screenings, poetry recitals, etc.
As a language centre, the AFKo, offers range of courses at all levels using modern teaching methodology and facilities both online and on-site. The interest in French is on the rise not only because of its inherent charm and prestige, but also because it is opening to the French culture and the cultures of the French speaking world, because it is a doorway to the affordable higher studies in the high-quality engineering institutes, business and administration schools in France, and for migration to French-speaking countries. As a part of the services provided by the Language Centre, both internal and external students have the facility of taking DELF-DALF and TEF exams to obtain internationally recognised French language proficiency certifications.
The AFKo media centre boasts a collection of over 16,000 documents, books, reviews, French learning materials, classical French literature, novels, comics, magazines, children’s books, etc., as well as 400,000 items of digital material related to the French culture and language including CDs, audio books, DVDs, French TV (TV5 Monde). It is to the go-to place in Colombo for those French speaking and learning bibliophiles to lose themselves in the welcoming atmosphere of a true library setting. Exclusively open to the Alliance Francaise students and members of the library, the AFKo media centre also offers a range of activities: conferences, cinema, games nights, etc.
Apart from the above facilities, AFKo provides reliable translation services and free counselling for those who wish to pursue their higher studies in France.Come join the Alliance Francaise either as a member or as a student to be part of an enriching cultural and social experience!
More than 108,000 complaints of child abuse had been received by the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) between 2015 and 2025, Women and Child Affairs Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj told Parliament yesterday.
Responding to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa under Standing Order 27/2, the Minister said 4,421 child abuse cases were pending before High Courts as of April 30 this year, with indictments already filed against the accused.
She said the NCPA was working with 47 Police Child and Women Protection Bureaus under the Police Children and Women Abuse Prevention Division to expedite the hearing and conclusion of these cases.
The Minister said measures were also being taken to protect child victims during legal proceedings by introducing a system to record their evidence through video in a safe and child-friendly environment, thereby reducing the need for them to appear in court.
She said discussions were underway with the Ministries of Health and Mass Media and other relevant institutions to establish nine provincial video evidence recording units.
by Saman Indrajith ✍️
The Court of Appeal yesterday dismissed a writ petition seeking to postpone the 2026 G.C.E. A/L Examination by two months.
The petition, filed by a group of students due to sit the examination for the first and second time, sought an order delaying the examination, which is scheduled to commence next month.
The Court announced its decision after considering submissions made in support of the application and declined to grant leave to proceed with the petition.
As a result, the 2026 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination will be held as scheduled in August.
Leader of the House and Minister Bimal Rathnayake yesterday criticised the conduct of MP Archchuna Ramanathan in Parliament, describing the behaviour of certain lawmakers as “uncivilised, disgraceful and indecent”, while a heated exchange followed between government and opposition members.
Rathnayake made the remarks when Ramanathan attempted to raise a point of order during parliamentary proceedings.
“This parliament has one or two members who behave in a very uncivilised, disgraceful manner. We tolerate them because one of them is mentally ill,” Rathnayake said.
He alleged that Ramanathan had insulted even members of the Tamil community.
“The things he says may not be heard through the microphone, but the four walls of this Parliament are witnesses,” Rathnayake said, adding that Ramanathan’s conduct was not limited to Parliament.
He claimed that the Jaffna District Coordinating Committee meeting could not be held due to Ramanathan’s behaviour and said MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam had written to the Speaker stating that he could not sit near him.
The Speaker intervened during the exchange, warning Ramanathan not to behave in a manner that would turn Parliament into “a joke”. He also said the MP had previously addressed him in an insulting manner.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa criticised the manner in which Rathnayake and the Speaker had addressed the matter, saying MPs should not be spoken to improperly and urging members to follow parliamentary Standing Orders.
Ramanathan, responding to the remarks, said: “I may be a psycho, but I am not a homosexual.”
by Saman Indrajith ✍️
Child abuse crisis: 108,000 complaints reported in 10 years
CA dismisses writ petition seeking postponement of A/L exam
Bimal’s remarks on MP’s conduct spark heated exchange in Parliament
SC rules fundamental rights of Aragalaya activist were violated
TRINEX-26 naval exercise begins off Trincomalee coast
Court defers hearing of GR’s Easter Sunday petition
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