The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Canberra successfully conducted its first-ever Consular Mobile Service in Townsville, North Queensland, on 12 September 2026, as part of its ongoing efforts to provide accessible and convenient consular services to Sri Lankan nationals residing across Australia.
Townsville, a key regional centre in North Queensland, is located approximately 2,500 kilometres from Canberra and is home to approximately 400 Sri Lankan families. The considerable distance from Canberra makes it challenging for members of the Sri Lankan community in the region to travel to the High Commission to obtain consular services.
The Consular Mobile Service, the first of its kind conducted by the High Commission in the North Queensland region, was accompanied by an interactive community engagement programme, providing an opportunity for members of the Sri Lankan community to meet High Commission officials, discuss matters of interest and raise their consular concerns and requirements.
The service received an enthusiastic response from the Sri Lankan community, with a large number of community members attending and receiving assistance with passport applications, birth certificates, dual citizenship applications, life certificates and powers of attorney.
The Mobile Consular Service was organised with the assistance of Art Circle Queensland. Volunteers from Art Circle Queensland in Townsville provided valuable support to High Commission officials in facilitating and coordinating the programme.
The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Canberra will continue to explore opportunities to conduct Consular Mobile Services in different regions across Australia, with the objective of making consular services more accessible and convenient for Sri Lankan communities throughout the country.
The programme was attended on behalf of the High Commission by Deputy High Commissioner Wishwanath Aponsu, Attaché Gihani Jayasiri and Consular Officer Manoj Amarasinghe.
The High Commission of Sri Lanka
Canberra
21 September 2026
