Australia – Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Group to be re-launched

February 27, 2023

Acting High Commissioner Chamari Rodrigo paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of the House of Representatives Milton Dick at the Federal Parliament recently. While thanking the Australian government for their invaluable assistance to Sri Lanka to meet urgent food and healthcare needs, the Actg. High Commissioner apprised the Speaker on the progress made and the steps being taken by the government to address the economic challenges in the country.

The particular focus of discussion was the proposed re-launching of Australia – Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Group (ASPFG). The Speaker who was a member of the previous Australia – Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Group (ASPFG) supported this idea which would enhance relations between Sri Lanka and the Australian Parliament and was keen to have the re-launching event in the Federal Parliament.

Following the meeting with the Speaker, the Actg. High Commissioner paid a separate call on the Deputy Speaker of Australian Parliament Sharon Claydon, Labour MP who became the third woman to occupy the role of Deputy Speaker of the Australian Parliament. The proposed re-launching event of the Friendship Group was also discussed in detail with the Deputy Speaker who encouraged for more female representation in the new friendship group.

The new friends of Sri Lanka Group consist of 45 MPs from the Labour and Liberal Party of the Australian Federal Parliament which includes Deputy Speaker Claydon. The new Chairperson of the group is a Sri Lankan origin Labour MP from Victoria Cassandra Fernando and the Vice-Chair is Senator Wendy Askew, Liberal MP from Tasmania.

The re-launching of the Friendship Group is scheduled during the next Parliamentary sittings in Canberra. Sri Lanka High Commission Canberra 24 February 2023.

Sri Lanka High Commission

Canberra

24 February 2023

Iconic Australian National Monuments illuminated for Sri Lanka

February 23, 2023

The Sri Lanka High Commission, in partnership with the Australian government arranged for the illumination of iconic Australian National monuments in the colours of the Sri Lankan national flag to mark the 75th Anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence and 75 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and Sri Lanka.

From 03-06 February 2023, twelve (12) national monuments from Canberra (The Royal Australian Mint, Old Parliament, and Carillion); Melbourne (Flinders Street Railway Station); Queensland (Parliament, City Hall) and; Perth (Council House and five bridges) were lit up in the colours of the Sri Lankan flag to mark this historic milestone.

The illumination of the iconic monuments symbolizes the longstanding and mutually rewarding friendship between Australia and Sri Lanka.

On 04 February the High Commission commemorated the 75th anniversary of independence at the Sri Lanka High Commission premises with the participation of representatives of Sri Lankan community in Canberra and the officials of the Sri Lanka Triforces who are presently undergoing training in Australia. The celebration commenced with the flag hoisting ceremony followed by singing the national anthem in the Sinhala and Tamil languages and conducting multi-faith observances.

Speaking at the occasion, Acting High Commissioner Chamari Rodrigo said Sri Lanka marked the historic milestone of the country in the midst of a myriad of challenges on the economic front. She appealed that, even though the economic situation does not warrant a grand celebration, it is clearly a time to reflect on the post- independence years; rectify our failures and for the citizens to rededicate themselves to ensuring their country’s well-being for the future.

The Acting High Commissioner also highlighted the enduring bilateral partnership between Australia and Sri Lanka which rests on the strong foundation of people-to-people connectivity and shared values. “The illumination of so many monuments together in the Sri Lankan flag colours, for the first time in Australia, signified 75 years of mutually respectful partnership with Australia which is home to a large Sri Lankan expatriate community. The Sri Lanka High Commission extends its sincere appreciation to Australia for its warm gesture”, she added.

The SriLankan Airlines and the Australia – Sri Lanka Association in Canberra (ASLA) supported the illumination project by encouraging the Sri Lankan community to capture the unique moment through photos and videos. SriLankan Airlines sponsored a return air ticket to Sri Lanka for the winner of the best photo.

The Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra considers the lighting up of iconic monuments in Australia in the colours of the Sri Lankan flag as momentous and historic.

High Commission of Sri Lanka

Canberra

21 February 2023

Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence at Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra

February 15, 2023

Digitalization of Arrival and Departure Facilities

January 30, 2023

Facilities have been provided to complete the Arrival cards by foreigners coming to Sri Lanka and Departure cards by Sri Lankans leaving the country through online with effect from 01.01.2023.

Accordingly the ari passengers have been facilitated to fill this card online three days prior to their travel, visiting the official website:  www.immigration.gov.lk of the Department of Immigration and Emigration or through the link:  https://eservices.immigration.gov.lk  web page.  Thereby it enable the passengers to complete the immigration and emigration formalities without any inconvenience.

Please visit : https://eservices.immigration.gov.lk/emb/eEmbarkation

The Controller-General, Department of Immigration and Emigration

Preventive measures for persons arriving from overseas during the pandemic of COVID-l9

December 12, 2022

Deepavali Festival- 2022 at Sri Lanka High Commission – Canberra

November 11, 2022

High Commission  hosts the first “Wes Mangallaya Ceremony”, in Canberra

November 4, 2022

The Sri Lanka High Commission hosted the first ‘Wes Mangallaya ceremony’, in Canberrra organised by the Bhagya School of Dance (BDS) on 15 October 2022 at the Sri Lanka High Commission Premises. Read More »

Scheme to Grant Permits to Import Electric Vehicles by the Sri Lankans Working Abroad

September 2, 2022

The Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment has issued the Circular No. 02/2022 dated 31st August 2022  introducing  a scheme to granting permits to import electric vehicles by the Sri Lankans working abroad.

Please see  the Circular ( in Sinhala) which outline the conditions, criteria and operational procedure with respect to the scheme.

The  Circular in English…..

Please see the amended Circular ……..  

Central Bank of Sri Lanka joins hands with the Foreign Employment Bureau to promote the LankaRemit mobile application

August 30, 2022

With the aim of popularizing the LankaRemit National Remittance Mobile Application among migrant workers, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) and the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) held a ceremony on 26 August 2022 at SLBFE to demonstrate its features. LankaRemit provides Sri Lankan expatriates with access to a fast, secure and more convenient remittance channel to send money to Sri Lanka. Read More »

Importance of ‘Fair Play’ by all Stakeholders of the Economy in Countering the Current Unprecedented Economic Crisis

August 2, 2022

The Government and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) have been implementing several measures to ease the burden of the current economic hardships on the people. One major factor that is contributing to the current crisis and the resultant hardships is the lack of foreign exchange liquidity in the banking system. Such shortage of forex liquidity has affected the provision of essential imports, including fuel. To ensure adequate foreign exchange liquidity in the banking system, the CBSL had to impose surrender requirements on export earnings. Further, measures were taken by the Government and the CBSL to discourage foreign exchange outflows, such as imposing restrictions on certain imports and payment terms and introducing margin requirements, while encouraging foreign inflows through the banking system, rather than those being channelled through the grey market. The success of these regulatory measures and the ability to achieve the intended outcomes depend on the support and cooperation from the trading community and the banking system. However, it has been brought to the notice of the CBSL that certain market players are not being fully compliant with these regulations. Such practice, if continued, would deprive the people of the support expected from the Government in difficult times, while undermining the moral obligation of ‘equal burden sharing’ that is expected of all stakeholders under difficult and extraordinary circumstances. Read More »