Sri Lanka is a resilient country, says Australian High Commissioner

27-Aug-2026

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“We recognise Sri Lanka as a country with a rich culture, enduring hospitality and remarkable resilience,” Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Matthew Duckworth said.

He made the remarks while participating as the chief guest at a media briefing held at Bandaranaike International Airport to mark the launch of Jetstar’s services to Sri Lanka in partnership with Hayleys. 

Speaking further, he said Sri Lanka is regarded by Australians as one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the Indian Ocean, known for its rich culture, beautiful landscapes, exceptional hospitality and resilience.

He said Sri Lanka’s vibrant diaspora community in Australia has made a significant contribution to Australia’s development, while hundreds of thousands of Australians have ancestral links with Sri Lanka. The new direct Colombo-Melbourne service operated by Jetstar would help bring these families and communities even closer.

“The direct air connectivity with Australia is more than just a commercial service. It marks the beginning of a new chapter in building a stronger bridge between the two countries,” he said.

He added that the service would strengthen people-to-people ties, tourism, educational links, employment-related travel and family reunification, thereby deepening the personal connections between the peoples of the two countries.

He also recalled the famous ‘Double Sunrise’ air service operated between Perth and Koggala Lake during the Second World War from 1943 to 1945. Those flights, which took more than 30 hours, carried not only mail and commercial goods but also a strong sense of confidence and connection among the people.

He said the present-day Jetstar service had opened a new chapter in the historic relationship between the two countries. The new connectivity would create opportunities for tourism, exporters and investors, promote educational exchanges and further strengthen bilateral partnerships.

With Sri Lanka and Australia scheduled to celebrate the 80th anniversary of their bilateral diplomatic relations next year, he said the new air link would play an important role in positioning Australia as a strong partner in the region.