Australia celebrates 70 years of development cooperation with Sri Lanka

Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, launched a photographic exhibition at the Lionel Wendt Gallery on 5 April celebrating 70 years of development cooperation between Australia and Sri Lanka.

Over the last seven decades, Australia has supported Sri Lanka’s development into the modern nation it is today. The exhibition highlights how Sri Lankans have benefited from the humanitarian, health, education, employment and other projects delivered by Australian aid.

The exhibition also captures the future of Australia’s development cooperation in Sri Lanka. 

“Many of our new programs focus on partnering with the private sector in innovative ways to create more quality jobs and opportunities for all Sri Lankans, especially women,” said Minister Fierravanti-Wells.

Australia has also supported over 1,000 young Sri Lankans to study in Australian universities.

“We are proud to support the next generations of Sri Lanka’s leaders with a world-class education in Australia,” said Minister Fierravanti-Wells.

Australia has long supported the development of Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector. Since the end of the conflict in 2009, Australia has also provided much needed assistance for demining, new housing, rebuilding of schools, roads, market places and created new jobs. Similarly, post-tsunami, Australia assisted with a range of reconstruction efforts.

The exhibition is open to the public on 6 and 21-23 April at the Lionel Wendt Gallery, Colombo 07.

-Pix by Ruwan Walpola