Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development of Sri Lanka, Sunil Handunneththi, attended Sri Lankan Entrepreneurs’ Night 2026, organised by the Australia–Sri Lanka Business Forum (ASLBF) in Melbourne on 15 August 2026. The event brought together Sri Lankan and Australian entrepreneurs, business leaders and community representatives, providing a platform to strengthen business links and explore opportunities for greater economic engagement between Sri Lanka and Australia.

The gathering was also addressed by Federal Member for Holt, Cassandra Fernando, and Sri Lankan Consul General in Victoria, Pradeepa Saram.

Addressing the gathering, Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunneththi commended the Australia–Sri Lanka Business Forum for bringing together the Sri Lankan business community in Australia and urged Sri Lankan entrepreneurs to support the development of Sri Lanka’s industrial and technology sectors. He also invited overseas entrepreneurs to bring investment, expertise and international experience to Sri Lanka.

Consul General in Victoria, Pradeepa Saram underscored that the participation of the Minister and senior officials responsible for industry, exports and investment demonstrated the significance attached by the Government of Sri Lanka to engaging with Sri Lankan business networks overseas.

Chairman, Export Development Board, Mangala Wijesinghe made a detailed presentation on EXPO Sri Lanka 2027, Sri Lanka’s premier international trade exhibition, scheduled to be held in Colombo. He invited Australian businesses to participate in the exhibition and explore opportunities for trade, investment, partnerships and business collaboration with Sri Lankan enterprises. Director General, Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, Dr. Sulakshana Jayawardena briefed participants on investment opportunities available in Sri Lanka.

The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Melbourne continued to work closely with Sri Lankan-related business organisations, bilateral chambers and other stakeholders in Victoria to promote Sri Lanka as a destination for trade and investment and facilitate stronger business-to-business linkages between the two countries.

Consulate General of Sri Lanka
Melbourne, Australia

18 August 2026