As part of the annual Immersia 2026 flagship festival, the Australian National University (ANU) hosted an exclusive panel featuring the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Australia, Yasoja Gunasekera, and four Sri Lankan doctoral researchers at ANU on 17 September 2026.

Moderated by Academic Sub Dean and Program Convenor at the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences, Dr Sean Perera, the panel discussion brought together emerging academic research by Sri Lankan students examining the social, cultural and economic dynamics shaping Sri Lanka’s social fabric.

Ravini Abhayarathne of the ANU Research School of Management addressed entrepreneurial resilience among Sri Lankan small businesses; Viyanga Gunasekera of the ANU School of Regulation and Global Governance investigated community-making efforts driven by women in post-war Sri Lanka; Nadine Vanniasinkam of the ANU School of Culture, History and Language examined Sri Lanka’s Tamil Catholic place making in post-war Sri Lanka; and Subashini Weerakotuwa of the ANU Research School of Management explored gender identity navigation in evolving workplaces.

In her address, High Commissioner Gunasekera highlighted the robust education partnership between Sri Lanka and Australia as a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship. She commended Sri Lankan scholars and postgraduate researchers for advancing academic excellence across Australia and highlighted their significant contributions to Australian universities through research, innovation and cross-cultural perspectives.

The event, organised as a collaboration between the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra, ANU South Asia Research Institute (SARI) and the ANU School of Culture, History & Language (CHL), was attended by officials of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), academics and professionals.

The High Commission of Sri Lanka

Canberra

21 September 2026