Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs, had a comprehensive discussion on developments in Sri Lanka with Senator John Faulkner, Australia’s Minister of Defence. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, attended by Defence Ministers from 21 countries. Senator Faulkner thanked Prof. Peiris for the consistent support and co-operation which the Government of Sri Lanka had extended to the Australian authorities with regard to combating people smuggling – a problem with which Australia has had to contend in recent months.

Prof. Peiris assured the Australian Minister of the strong continuing commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka in this regard.

The Sri Lanka and Australia Ministers discussed in detail the avenues of extended co-operation between the two governments with regard to training, investment and trade.

The Australian Government announced on 9th June 2010 that they have revised their Travel Advisory on Sri Lanka from level 4 i.e. “reconsider your need to Travel” to level 3 i.e. “high degree of caution”, taking into account the current conditions in Sri Lanka. However, the Northern and Eastern Provinces are still listed at level 5 i.e. “do not travel”.

The New Zealand Government has also revised their travel advisory as at 17th June 2010 categorizing the Northern area as one of “extreme risk” with the Eastern areas listed as being on the “high risk” category while Colombo and elsewhere in Sri Lanka is listed as posing ”some risk”. The previous New Zealand Advisory on Sri Lanka listed the Northern areas as being “extreme risk” areas while elsewhere in Sri Lanka including Colombo was listed as “high risk”. This revision follows an official visit to New Zealand by H E Senaka Walgampaya, High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in early May 2010.

The Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra will continue to make representation to relevant authorities for the further revision of the travel advisories issued by Australia and New Zealand on Sri Lanka.