The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Canberra launched the Sri Lanka–Australia Parliamentary Friendship Group on 26 May 2026 at the High Commission premises.

Despite the demanding parliamentary sitting schedule, over twenty-five Australian Federal Members of Parliament and Senators representing both Government and Opposition parties attended the event, demonstrating bipartisan support for strengthening relations with Sri Lanka.

The Assistant Minister for Immigration and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia, Matt Thistlethwaite, attended the event as the Chief Guest. In his remarks, he commended the contribution of the Sri Lankan community to multicultural Australia, highlighting the community’s cultural and professional contributions to Australian society. The event was also attended by senior officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and representatives of the Sri Lankan community in Australia, including the Honorary Consul for Sri Lanka in Queensland, Nalin Perera.

The Sri Lanka–Australia Parliamentary Friendship Group is chaired by Cassandra Fernando, a Sri Lankan-born parliamentarian, who reaffirmed her commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Australia. The Vice Chair of the Group, Senator Wendy Askew, also expressed support for advancing the partnership. Ash Ambihaipahar, a parliamentarian of Sri Lankan heritage, also participated in the event.

Comprising 34 Members of Parliament, the Sri Lanka–Australia Parliamentary Friendship Group serves as an important platform for strengthening longstanding bilateral relations and enhancing engagement with the Parliament of Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka’s diplomatic representation in Australia.

Addressing the gathering, the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Australia, Yasoja Gunasekera, briefed the participants on Sri Lanka’s current economic, political, and security landscape. She emphasized the importance of the Friendship Group in strengthening cooperation between Sri Lanka and Australia across multiple sectors and reaffirmed the High Commission’s commitment to close collaboration with the members of the Group. The Defence Counsellor of the High Commission, Captain Sagara Udayanga, also made a presentation on Sri Lanka–Australia defence cooperation.

The event concluded with assurances of continued cooperation to further strengthen the Sri Lanka–Australia partnership.

The High Commission of Sri Lanka to Australia

Canberra

27 May 2026