The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Canberra facilitated a trade delegation from the Sri Lanka-Australia-New Zealand Business Council (SLANZBC) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) to Canberra on 20 August 2026, where the delegation met with parliamentarians, senior government officials and key institutions.
The delegation comprised business representatives from the technology and artificial intelligence, marketing technology, venture capital and business development, fisheries and logistics sectors. The visit aimed to revitalise trade partnerships, showcase emerging commercial opportunities in Sri Lanka and deepen institutional ties between government, parliamentary and business sectors of the two countries.
The delegation engaged in a high-level roundtable meeting with members of the Federal Parliament, led by Chair of the Australia-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Group, Cassandra Fernando MP, alongside Steve Georganas MP, Senator Andrew McLachlan CSC and Matt Burnell MP. Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral commercial linkages and leveraging diaspora networks to facilitate two-way trade.
The delegation met with Assistant Secretary, Indian Ocean and South Asia Maritime Branch, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Bruce Soar, and senior DFAT officials. The officials provided a comprehensive presentation on Australia’s macroeconomic outlook and highlighted strategic opportunities for Sri Lanka to expand its trade and investment relations with Australia. The delegation also met with Senior Adviser, South Asia and Southeast Asia Section, Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), Laura Phillips.
The delegation also met with Deputy Director of Trade and International Affairs, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Lachlan Smith, during its visit to Canberra.
The visit, the first official delegation from Sri Lanka’s premier business chamber to Australia in over 15 years, renewed engagement towards future commercial partnerships between Sri Lanka and Australia.
High Commission of Sri Lanka
Canberra
28 August 2026
