High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Canberra, Yasoja Gunasekera received a lunch invitation from Governor of South Australia, Frances Adamson AC, to discuss the Governor’s visit to Sri Lanka later this week. The visit will focus on international education, including opportunities to expand Southern Australian education presence in Sri Lanka and encouraging greater student exchanges between Sri Lanka and South Australia.
In addition to the focus on international education, the visit will also emphasize trade and investment. The Governor expressed interest in exploring opportunities to expand the economic and bilateral relationship between Sri Lanka and South Australia. South Australia's economy is undergoing a strategic transformation, transitioning from traditional industries to a knowledge-based economy driven by innovation, advanced manufacturing, defence, renewable energy, and critical technologies. A strong higher and international education sector continues to make a significant contribution to the economy. South Australia is actively developing and leading in future industries. High Commissioner Gunasekera reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s strong interest in further diversifying and deepening trade and economic ties with Australia.
The High Commissioner also had a productive meeting on economic partnership between Sri Lanka and South Australia with representatives of the Premier of South Asia and Cabinet and Department of State Development. The meeting was led by Executive Director, Trade and International, Department of State Development, Tim White who will be part of the Governor’s delegation to Sri Lanka. The Australian side expressed satisfaction that several South Australian companies are already in Sri Lanka and have had positive experiences working in Sri Lanka, including Bunnik Tourism and several IT companies including Palladium; Camms Group and My Budget. There would be interest in exploring engagement in the IT sector.
High Commissioner Gunasekera met Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor, Romy Lawson and Director International Partnerships of Flinders University, Bill Damachis to discuss the establishment of a Full Degree awarding campus in Sri Lanka. This would be the first overseas campus for Flinders University. The presence of Flinders University in Sri Lanka would contribute toward the country’s vision of becoming a world-class educational hub.
High Commission of Sri Lanka
Canberra
20 June 2025
