On the sidelines of Fine Food Australia 2026, the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Melbourne and Global Victoria co-hosted the “Expo Sri Lanka 2027 Briefing & Networking Evening” on 31 August 2026 at International Chamber House in Melbourne. The event provided a platform to promote Sri Lanka’s premier international trade exhibition, “Expo Sri Lanka 2027”, to the Australian business community and brought together Sri Lankan business delegations participating in Fine Food Australia 2026 for a targeted networking session.
The session was co-chaired by Consul General of Sri Lanka in Melbourne, Pradeepa Saram, and Senior Regional Manager, South Asia and META, Global Victoria, James Edwards. The event brought together Australian importers, retail and foodservice representatives, as well as Sri Lankan exhibitors and business delegates participating in Fine Food Australia 2026. The interactions facilitated business-to-business engagement and provided opportunities to explore new partnerships, expand market access and strengthen commercial linkages, particularly in the food and beverage sector.
A detailed presentation on Expo Sri Lanka 2027 was delivered by Deputy Director of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board, Saumya Kannangara, highlighting Sri Lanka’s trade, economic and investment potential. The presentation showcased the country’s expanding export capabilities, diversified product base, strategic location and emerging opportunities across key sectors, while extending an invitation to Australian importers, buyers, investors and businesses to participate in Expo Sri Lanka 2027.
In his opening remarks, Senior Regional Manager, South Asia and META, Global Victoria, James Edwards, noted the significance of Sri Lanka to Australia, particularly through the Sri Lankan community and Victoria’s longstanding economic and people-to-people connections with the country. He observed that Expo Sri Lanka 2027 presented an important opportunity to introduce Australian businesses to a broader perspective of contemporary Sri Lanka and encouraged them to explore emerging opportunities and potential partnerships.
The event also enabled Sri Lankan companies participating in Fine Food Australia 2026 to directly engage with prospective Australian buyers and industry stakeholders. Discussions focused on opportunities for trade expansion, product promotion, brand partnerships and long-term market collaboration, with particular emphasis on strengthening Sri Lanka’s presence in the Australian foodservice, retail and beverage markets.
The networking evening provided a timely platform to build new commercial partnerships ahead of Expo Sri Lanka 2027, which is expected to bring together exporters, international buyers, investors and business leaders in Colombo.
Consulate General of Sri Lanka
Melbourne, Australia
10 September 2026
