COLOMBO, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday expressed solidarity with France after a major fire engulfed the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

In a statement, Sirisena said Sri Lanka stands in solidarity with the people of France and the noble mission to rebuild this world heritage.

A fire which broke out in the upper part of the cathedral on Monday evening engulfed the spire and the entire roof which both collapsed later.

The French government said the main structure of Notre Dame had been saved and preserved.

Notre Dame is considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture which receives tens of millions of visitors every year.