Aussie envoy Klugman makes farewell call on Basil

Saturday, 17 December 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

High Commissioner of Australia in Sri Lanka Kathy Klugman is scheduled to leave for Australia on 19 December, upon completion of her assignment in Sri Lanka.

Prior to her departure she paid her farewell call on Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa yesterday at Ministry of Economic Development.

Klugman is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs Australia and before posting to Sri Lanka as high Commissioner she held the post of Assistant Secretary, South and West Asia Branch. She has served as Deputy High Commissioner in Singapore (2005-06), Deputy High Commissioner in Colombo (19982001) and Third Secretary in Vientiane (1993-95).

Australia’s relationship with Sri Lanka is also underpinned by commercial ties.

Two-way trade is valued at more than $230 million per annum. Food and agricultural products are Australia’s main merchandise exports.

Klugman had rendered a great service to improve the relationship between the two countries during her tenure in Sri Lanka, the Economic Development Ministry said.