Sri Lanka’s newly appointed High Commissioner to Australia J.C.Weliamuna undertook his first official visit to Melbourne from October 13-15. Melbourne is home to one of the vibrant Overseas Sri Lankan communities.
High Commissioner Weliamuna called on the Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews at the Parliament House. They 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 Victorian Multicultural Minister Richard Wynne and discussed mutually beneficial partnerships, particularly trade, education and tourism.
He met representatives of the nearly 100,000 Sri Lankan community in Victoria in a reception hosted by the Sri Lankans and graced by the Victorian Parliamentarians of Sri Lankan descent Craig Ondarchie and Dr. Samantha Ratnam and during several other meetings with the Sri Lankan community associations, the High Commissioner requested them to engage in the “One Village One Product (OVOP)” project and “2000 Exporters Development Program” launched by the Export Development Board (EDB) to expand the Sri Lankan exports basket.
High Commissioner Weliamuna interacted with a section of leading Sri Lankan university academics in Victoria. Nearly 10,000 Sri Lankan students are studying in Victoria.
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. 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 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.