Therefore, the minister extended an invitation to Australian investors to take full advantage of Sri Lanka transforming itself into an important and viable logistical hub in the East-West maritime arc.

In his statement following the bilateral talks with visiting Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop yesterday (19th July) in Colombo he said this visit would further enhance relations between the two countries and serve as a catalyst to expand the partnership in multifaceted areas in the years ahead.

The visit is also significant since it coincides with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Australia.

Both Foreign Ministers held productive discussions on ways and means of further enhancing bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including economic partnership, development cooperation, combating people smuggling, education and skill development, tourism, reconciliation, the role by Overseas Sri Lankans in the development of Sri Lanka, and regional security challenges including maritime security as well as cooperation in the multilateral fora.  

According to Minister Karunanayake, Sri Lankan airlines would commence its operations to Melbourne with effect from October winter 2017.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop will pay courtesy calls on President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today.