Australian High Commission
Colombo
MEDIA RELEASE
29 January 2015
Australian High Commission marks Australia Day
Australia’s High Commissioner Her Excellency Robyn Mudie hosted a reception on 28
January to celebrate Australia Day. The Hon John Amaratunga, Minister of Public Order,
Disaster Management and Christian Affairs, represented the Sri Lankan government at
the event. The event was attended by over 650 people and featured an extensive menu
showcasing Australian food and wines.
As the High Commissioner said in her speech, “Australia Day is a day that provides us
an opportunity to reflect upon what it means to be Australian, on what we have achieved as a country of many and varied cultures - with a staunch commitment to democratic
values and to look back past the date of the first European settlement to the history of
indigenous Australia, which stretches back a further 40 000 years, and to pay tribute to
the ongoing contribution of Australia’s indigenous peoples to our country.”
The High Commissioner highlighted the many facets that make up Australia’s
longstanding and constructive relationship with Sri Lanka, including education, trade and
investment, people-to-people links, development cooperation and cooperation on the
shared challenge of people smuggling. Ms Mudie said Australia looked forward to
working with the new government to support its agenda of democratic reform, good
governance and anti-corruption. She affirmed that Australia would continue to engage
with Sri Lanka in support of its reconciliation agenda. The High Commissioner said she
was confident that Australia’s broad cooperation and deep engagement with Sri Lanka
would continue to grow and strengthen in the coming years.
The event was sponsored by the State Government of Victoria, which promotes and
facilitates trade and investment opportunities between Australia and Sri Lanka, and
Australian Vintage Ltd’s McGuigan Wines, which are distributed in Sri Lanka by
International Distilleries Limited.
Background on Sponsors
THE STATE GOVERNMENT OF VICTORIA
The Victorian Government Business Office (VGBO) was set up in Bangalore in 2006 to
expand and deepen trade and investment linkages between Victoria and South Asia. The
office is headed by a Commissioner and is staffed by a team consisting of professionals
with expertise in trade, investment and education.
The Victorian Government recently announced inbound Super Trade Missions wherein
they will bring in large numbers of buyers from overseas markets to meet Victorian
producers and suppliers. The first such missions will be in March 2015 in the Food and
Beverage and Aerospace and Aviation sectors. The VGBOs in Bangalore and Mumbai
will play a critical role in ensuring that South Asia is well represented at these Super
Trade Missions.
Victoria boasts of a robust economy driven by services and advanced manufacturing.
Comprising just three per cent of Australia’s landmass, the state contributes a fourth of
Australia’s GDP. Victoria is also the preferred state for students and migrants from Sri
Lanka and is home to the largest Sri Lankan community in the country. Victoria’s capital
city Melbourne has been voted the World’s Most Liveable City for the fourth time in a
row.
AUSTRALIAN VINTAGE LTD – MCGUIGAN WINES
Australian Vintage Ltd is a leading Australian wine company. Championing a fullyintegrated wine business model, the breadth of the company’s capabilities extend to
vineyards, boutique and bulk wine production.
Australian Vintage Ltd boasts a dynamic and award-winning portfolio of Australian wine
brands, including McGuigan Wines. Quality, consistency, value and innovation are the
hallmark of the McGuigan brand. With an award-winning pedigree that is second to none,
McGuigan’s premier winemaking credentials are without rival.