Address to Sri Lankan Cultural Society of WA - 62nd Sri Lankan Independence Day Celebration
Sunday, 07 February 2010
E&OE…
Friends of Sri Lanka. Friends of Australia.
I am delighted to be here today to celebrate with you the 62nd anniversary of the independence of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka has been described as the pearl of the Indian Ocean, a jewel of a country, and the coast lines of our two countries share that Indian Ocean shore, from the west and from the east.
The relations between our two countries have always been warm and friendly and mutually beneficial.
Australians responded quickly when that devastating tsunami hit Sri Lanka in December of 2004 and worked hard with other nations around the world to help Sri Lanka overcome the death and destruction caused by that terrible and terrifying event.
The relationship with our country of course will only grow stronger as we encourage trade and student exchanges and increased business linkages. And the people to people contacts are enhanced by people such as Frank Crawley, the honorary consul who has done so much to bring Western Australia and Sri Lanka closer together.
I also want to mention the work of Don Randall, the Federal Member for Canning, who, when in Government was the Chair of the Australia-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Group in Canberra. He is now the Deputy Chair and he has done much to host Sri Lankan parliamentarians visiting Australia and supporting Australian parliamentarians who visit Sri Lanka, enhancing that mutual respect between our two great democratic institutions, our national parliaments.
The statistics say there are about 80,000 Sri Lankans living in Australia and we have benefited so much from the significant contribution they have made to our economic, cultural and social life.
Last year was a momentous year for Sri Lanka, marking the end of the long running civil war in Sri Lanka’s north.
The world hopes that this closes the chapter in that long running war with the violence that occurred.
We do not underestimate the task that faces the re-elected President and we certainly wish him well as he works hard to heal the divisions and increase the prosperity in Sri Lanka and create an environment where people won’t leave Sri Lanka seeking asylum elsewhere and risking their lives at sea.
As the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, I can assure you that I will continue to take a very keen interest in all matters relating to Sri Lanka.
And the Liberal and National Parties in Coalition in Canberra will support all efforts to help Sri Lanka build peace and prosperity.
May I take this opportunity to wish you all the best as you celebrate the National Day of Sri Lanka and the day that marks the 62nd anniversary of independence.
Have a wonderful day.
