On 05 June 2026, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Paris hosted a special felicitation ceremony on 05 June 2026, in honour of Didier Dillard, Chief Executive Officer of Orange Marine, in recognition of his contribution to strengthening maritime cooperation between Sri Lanka and France.
The ceremony was attended by representatives of Orange Marine, Colombo Dockyard PLC, the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka (EDB) and the Chamber of Marine Industries of Sri Lanka (CMISL) both physically and online.
Opening the event, Sanju Dasanayake, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Paris, highlighted the growing maritime partnership between Sri Lanka and France and the significance of the collaboration between Orange Marine and Colombo Dockyard PLC as an example of successful industrial cooperation between the two countries.
Addressing the gathering virtually from Sri Lanka, Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Export Development Board, commended Orange Marine’s confidence in Sri Lankan shipbuilding capabilities and emphasized the importance of promoting Sri Lanka as a competitive maritime and investment destination. He also extended an invitation to Orange Marine to participate in Sri Lanka Expo 2027, which will take place in Colombo from 14-17 January 2027.
President of the Chamber of Marine Industries of Sri Lanka Kaushal Rajapaksha, highlighted the positive impact of the partnership on Sri Lanka’s maritime industry and noted that such collaborations contribute significantly to enhancing the country’s international reputation in the shipbuilding and marine engineering sectors.
A video presentation on the cable-laying vessel Sophie Germain, constructed by Colombo Dockyard PLC for Orange Marine and delivered in 2023, was screened during the event. Participants also noted with appreciation the continued confidence placed in Sri Lanka through the construction of two additional sister vessels scheduled for delivery in 2028 and 2029.
In his keynote address, CEO Didier Dillard reflected on the decision to partner with Colombo Dockyard PLC for the construction of Sophie Germain and expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the project. He highly appreciated the quality of workmanship, professionalism, commitment and dedication demonstrated by the Sri Lankan workforce throughout the construction process. CEO Dillard further expressed confidence that the two sister vessels currently under construction would be delivered to the same high standards of excellence that characterized the successful completion of Sophie Germain.
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Colombo Dockyard PLC Thimira Godakumbura, underscored the importance of the partnership with Orange Marine and reaffirmed the Colombo Dockyard’s commitment to delivering the two new vessels with the same level of quality, reliability and technical excellence.
A commemorative plaque was presented to CEO Didier Dillard by Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Sanju Dasanayake, in appreciation of his contribution to strengthening maritime cooperation between Sri Lanka and France and in exchange, CEO Didier Dillard handed over the stamps and postcards featuring ‘Orange Marine’. The gestures were warmly appreciated by all participants, including representatives of Orange Marine who attended the event.
The ceremony concluded with a traditional Sri Lankan lunch, providing participants with an opportunity to continue their discussions and further strengthen professional and business connections in a warm and convivial setting.
The event was moderated by Prasadi Boomawalage, First Secretary (Commercial) and vote of thanks was delivered by Himali Rathnaweera, Minister/Consular of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Paris, France.
The ceremony served as a valuable platform to celebrate a successful partnership that has contributed to strengthening maritime cooperation, trade and investment ties between Sri Lanka and France, while showcasing Sri Lanka’s growing capabilities in the global shipbuilding industry.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Paris
10 June 2026
