The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya met with Mr. Julian Hill, M.P., Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs and Assistant Minister for International Education of Australia, on 11 December 2025 at the Ministry of Education, Isurupaya.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the support extended by the Government of Australia with a contribution of AUD 3.5 million following the recent adverse weather conditions that affected the entire nation to provide humanitarian assistance and restore essential services. The Prime Minister further stated that Sri Lanka has completed search and rescue operations and is now beginning the next phase of recovery, focusing on resettlement, relocation, and rebuilding.
The discussion underscored education, covered bilateral relations, development cooperation, economic and trade ties, tourism, investment opportunities, and regional collaboration. The Prime Minister acknowledged Australia’s longstanding cooperation in the education sector, including development assistance, the expansion of higher education and scholarships offered under the Australia Awards programme.
The representatives reaffirmed Australia’s role as a long-term strategic partner of Sri Lanka and emphasized Australia’s continued commitment to supporting the country’s education sector. They noted that Australia remains dedicated to being a reliable and high-quality partner in advancing Sri Lanka’s education priorities and broader development goals.
The meeting was attended by the Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka H.E. Matthew Duckworth, First Assistant Secretary Ms. Karen Ann Sandercock, Chief of Staff Mr. Cameron Geoffrey Green, Deputy High Commissioner of the Australian High Commission in Colombo Ms. Ruth Baird and representing Sri Lanka Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewe, Additional Secretary (Development) Higher Education Sector Ms. Apsara Caldera, and officials from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of foreign affairs.
Prime Minister’s Media Division