The day (29th April) holds special significance as it is the date on which the first Commissioner of Australia to then Ceylon, Charles Frost, set up office in Colombo in 1947.

Over 80 blood and plasma donations were made at the Red Cross House in Canberra which will help save approximately 270 Australian lives. The donors included staff of the High Commission, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Sri Lankan community in Canberra.

High Commissioner Skandakumar was joined by Members of the ACT Legislative Assembly Suzanne Orr and Assistant Secretary/ South Asia Branch of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Andrew Collins to cut a specially designed cake.

High Commissioner Skandakumar recalled the anniversary celebration at Parliament House on Valentine's Day, when Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull hosted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe, and paid tribute in particular to the strong people to people ties.

The High Commissioner said that “the blood donation programme was a goodwill gesture towards the wellbeing of the Australian people and acknowledged the Sri Lankans who have made Australia their home and contributed meaningfully to the economy."

He thanked those who helped the High Commission in organising the programme, and all community members who participated.