High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Canberra meets H.E. Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia on eve of her official visit to Sri Lanka

June 20, 2025

High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Canberra, Yasoja Gunasekera received a lunch invitation from H.E. Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia to discuss the Governor’s visit to Sri Lanka later this week, which 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, trade and investment will comprise a focus of the visit and the Governor was interested in discussing possibilities to expand the economic and bilateral relationship between Sri Lanka and South Australia. South Australia’s economy is undergoing a strategic transformation, moving from a reliance on 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 contributes significantly to the economy. South Australia is actively developing and leading in future industries. High Commissioner Gunasekera conveyed Sri Lanka’s keen interest in further diversifying and deepening trade and economic ties with Australia.

 

The Sri Lanka High Commissioner also had a useful 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 lead by Mr. Tim White, Executive Director, Trade and International, Department of State Development, who will be part of H.E the Governor’s delegation to Sri Lanka. The Australian side was happy to note that several South Australian companies are already in Sri Lanka and have had a positive experience 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 Professor Romy Lawson, Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor and Mr. Bill Damachis Director International Partnerships of Flinders University, which is amongst the top 2% of universities in the world, to discuss the Full Degree awarding campus that Flinders hopes to establish in Sri Lanka. This would be the first overseas campus for Flinders University. The Flinders University presence in Sri Lanka would contribute greatly to Sri Lanka becoming a world class educational hub.