Message from the Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Paul Stephens

On Australia Day each year, Australians come together to celebrate our modern, multicultural nation – to reflect on our history and consider the future we want to build.

That future is located firmly right here – in our shared Indo-Pacific region. Australia’s close and enduring friendship with Sri Lanka is vital to building a more open, prosperous and resilient Indo-Pacific, in which all countries can thrive.

A stronger Sri Lanka is a better partner for Australia and the region. In this respect, Australia has been pleased to continue supporting the stabilisation of Sri Lanka’s economy over the past 12 months. While we know there are more economic challenges to overcome, we look forward to Sri Lanka’s return to growth in 2024.

People-to-people ties, through education, tourism, sport and community, lie at the heart of the Australia-Sri Lanka partnership. I am confident these links will not only strengthen but diversify into new areas – such as investment, climate, renewable energy, resources, and shipping and logistics – in the year ahead.

I am proud of what the governments and people of Sri Lanka and Australia have achieved during 2023 and I am confident we will only build on our efforts in the year to come.

 Australian High Commissioner hosts Australia Day 2024 The Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, His Excellency Paul Stephens, hosted a reception to celebrate Australia Day 2024 on 24 January 2024.

Sri Lankan Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation, Hon Nimal Siripala de Silva, joined the reception as the Chief Guest.

Australia Day is an opportunity for Australians to come together and celebrate our modern, multicultural nation. Following Australia’s recent victory in the World Cup, this year’s Australia Day reception was used to highlight the passion Australians and Sri Lankans share for the game of cricket.

The event also showcased our longstanding bilateral ties that encompass many sectors such as trade and investment, education, maritime cooperation, culture and sport.