Photo: SNNI
By SAT News Desk
MELBOURNE,15 October: Sri Lanka’s newly appointed High Commissioner to Australia, J.C.Weliamuna, PC, undertook his first official visit to Melbourne from 13-15 October 2019. Ther High Commissioner met the State Premier Daniel Andrews and discussed the emerging bilateral partnerships in education, health, and tourism and agreed to explore a joint tourism promotion drive between Sri Lanka and Victoria. The Premier, while underlining the outstanding contribution of the Sri Lankan community to Victoria and its economy assured continuous cooperation and stand by Sri Lanka as a close friend.
The High Commissioner also called on the Victorian Multicultural Minister Richard Wynne and
discussed mutually beneficial partnerships, particularly trade, education, and tourism.
Source: SNNI
There are an estimated 100,000 people of Sri Lankan origin in Victoria. A reception was hosted by the Sri Lankan community to welcome the new High Commissioner. He requested them to engage in the “One Village One Product (OVOP)” project and “2000 Exporters Development Programme” launched by the
Export Development Board (EDB) in order to expand the Sri Lankan export basket.
The High Commissioner met the Director, State Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Andrew Cumpston, and Director, Strategic Technology Partnerships Jobs, Innovation and Business Engagement at the Victorian Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions Kathy Coultas as well.
During his visit to the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Melbourne, the High Commissioner re-launched the official website of the Consulate General. The upgraded website with social media handles will be an essential tool for the promotion of Sri Lanka as a destination for Australian tourists and will provide information for potential investors and traders, as well as for those who require consular services.
The Consul General of Sri Lanka in Melbourne Kapila Fonseka and Consul Diana Perera accompanied the High Commissioner throughout the visit.
