Australia’s Minister for International Development & the Pacific to Srilanka Today

Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka today. This will be the Minister’s first visit to Sri Lanka as Minister for International Development and the Pacific.

Issuing a statement, the Australian High Commission in Colombo said Sri Lanka and Australia will celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations adding that Sri Lanka is a long-standing economic and development partner.

It said Australia’s $80 million aid program over four years is entering a new phase which is focused on developing skills, creating market opportunities for small business, supporting economic reform and empowering women in the workforce and trade and economic opportunities.

The Minister is due to launch a new $15 million program over four years titled ‘Women in Work’ which will cooperate with Sri Lankan businesses to create extra and better jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities for women.

The Minister will also visit the Northern Province to see the impact of the $250 million Australia has contributed toward reconciliation and reconstruction since the end of the conflict in 2009.