The Prime Minister of Australia, Hon Julia Gillard along with Mr Tim Mathieson hosted the visiting Sri Lankan cricket team at the Prime Minister’s official residence, The Lodge, on 2nd February 2012. Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Australia, Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe and Mrs Samarasinghe also participated at the reception.
The Sri Lanka team arrived in Canberra on the 2nd February from Melbourne and was welcome by the High Commissioner, High Commission Officials and group enthusiastic Sri Lanka Community members at the Canberra airport.
The High Commission was also privileged to welcome Sri Lanka's National Cricket Team to the Independence Day celebrations held at the High Commission premises on the 4th of February. The team participated at the event much to the delight of Sri Lankan expatriate community members who were afforded the opportunity to closely interact with the players.
The Sri Lankan team is in Australia for the Commonwealth Bank Tri Series, which features India and Australia.
The warm welcome accorded to the team by the Prime Minister of Australia, and their participation at the celebrations of the 64th Anniversary of Independence had a very positive impact on the image of Sri Lanka in Australia and among the wider Australian community.
Sri Lanka High Commission
Canberra
21st February 2012
