The Australian Government welcomed Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Australia, His Excellency JC Weliamuna PC, to Canberra last week.

The High Commissioner met with the Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs, the honourable Jason Wood MP and discussions highlighted the excellent friendship and cooperation between Australia and Sri Lanka.

“The Sri Lankan community is an important part of Australia’s multicultural fabric, and I value their many contributions to the Australian community,” Mr Wood said.

“In 2018, there were nearly 135,000 people born in Sri Lanka living in Australia and nearly 5,000 Sri Lankans became Australian citizens in 2018-19.

“Sri Lanka and Australia share a special and expanding friendship. Our established diplomatic relations dating back to 1947 are a mark of our long-standing cooperation.

“In addition to our strong people to people links, Australia and Sri Lanka cooperate closely on a range of issues of mutual importance, including in relation to national security and supporting safe pathways of migration.

“I look forward to continuing our warm and productive relationship with Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan High Commission in Australia.”