Matthew Duckworth appointed Australia’s new High Commissioner to Sri Lanka

09-Jul-2025

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Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced that Matthew Duckworth has been appointed as Australia’s new High Commissioner to Sri Lanka.

She further emphasized that Sri Lanka is one of Australia’s key partners in the northeastern Indian Ocean region.

“The close relationship between Australia and Sri Lanka has been built on strong people-to-people links, longstanding development cooperation, growing trade and investment ties, and a shared commitment to a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indian Ocean region,” Penny Wong noted.

She also appreciated the contributions of over 160,000 Sri Lankans living in Australia to the country’s multicultural society.

Matthew Duckworth’s appointment comes as the tenure of the current High Commissioner, Paul Stephens, ends in August. Duckworth is a career diplomat with extensive experience in the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Previously, he served as Australia’s High Commissioner to Indonesia and Cambodia.