Sri Lanka’s goodwill and friendly ties with Australia

Rupa Banduwardena

The goodwill and friendly ties with Australia is linked to our colonial past. It throws light on early British history when both countries were victims of imperialism. However the system of education with pride of place given to English was a blessing in disguise.

One has to accept the fact that it really does make life easier, giving easy access to the developed world. Among the many places of historic value, Australia stands out as a globally renowned country for humanitarian work. For a great length of time Australia has been of great assistance to Sri Lanka. The consequent friendly relations are nothing new to Sri Lanka.

Education

Contribution to education, is the most vital event of great historical significance. If one is to say that it has reached the peak in education, there is nothing wrong in the statement. A good education always endows you with success when you start your career is no secret. The world’s most prestigious universities to name a few such as Monash, Melbourne Swinburn, Sydney, La Yrobe open up a wealth of opportunities to students worldwide Sri Lanka in particular. Along with the education in different areas one can emphasise the life experience that a student gains.

The kind of discipline plus the education in various disciplines that one gets, being in the company of diverse back grounds itself, is an experience which helps the young students. The facilities provided by these institutions are endlessly helpful in this demanding situation. They conduct seminars and awareness programmes to educate the students of the benefits. They are always being encouraged giving much hope for the future.

There are numerous categories of students seeking education in this country down under. There is one category, who work tirelessly to make ends meet without worrying their parents any more, to support them financially once the initial investment has been made. They pursue their studies with anxiety so that they have something to fall back on - ie getting PR for their future stability. It lends a hand for the students who ultimately aim a obtaining PR (Permanent Residence) for greener pastures with the completion of their university education.

Then there are those who come back to their land of birth with overflowing patriotism. All universities which maintain high quality standards in all aspects of education ultimately help them to contribute more to the development of their Alma Mater. There is still another category, those whose family was are too strong to have stayed there, eventually come back to their land of birth. They perform a greater service than the migrants domiciled there. It is very encouraging to note the benefit. This way, it is making a valuable contribution to the development of the country.

Australia is true to what people say about the country and it’s altitude - highly commended by the outside world.

Cordial relationship

Many projects undertaken are a gesture of close ties, between the two countries. Both enjoy excellent cordial relationship. Australia has always been a source of strength to Sri Lanka which is evident from the help offered to the cause of relieving the victims when Sri Lanka was overpowered by the tsunami in December 2004. They won praise and fame for their unique support.

As a mark of gratitude Sri Lankans too put up a splendid performance, a unique task in providing relief to the bushfire victims in Victoria. Bushfire Appeal Concert was a collaborative effort to say thank you to all who stood by them during the tsunami.

Australia-Sri Lanka Council

One of the highlights of Aussie-Lankan friendship in the ASLC formed fourteen years ago with the initiative of the Commissioners of both countries. The primary aim was to lend a hand to develop and improve the friendly ties in the field of trade and commerce, and investment. The other areas requiring intervention was tourism, education and health. Since its inception ASLC has been encouraging trade delegations, hosting ministerial visits, academic exchanges, promoting technology agreements and signing MoUs with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce working in unison with Rotary and Lion Clubs in their projects, mainly in the area of health.

Major projects

Following are some of the major projects carried out in the last two years (Pahana - March 2009)

1. “Installation of a cardiac catheter laboratory and a heart lung machine at the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital and transfer of technical college. Equipment worth over one million dollars were secured with the assistance from the Rotary International. This is one of the larger aid projects provided from Australia last year.

2. Despatching of three containers of hospital beds and other medical equipment to the same.

3. Representation at various ethnic dialogue facilitations.

4. Hosting of a garden party at the Governor’s House to promote tourism in Sri Lanka while advertising Lankan tea, food, its diversified culture and tourism.

5. Hosting of a trade and investment promotion session at the Hilton on the Park, where Aussie businesses were informed of the facilities available for foreign investment and trade in Sri Lanka.

6. Awarding of Edward Grey prize to a post graduate candidate for the academic effort.

7. A veterinary consultant was sent to Sri Lanka to perform artificial insemination to increase milk and meat production in goats.

8. The most recent achievement being the donation of a well equipped ambulance for the Kurunegala hospital.”

Their service in the sphere of education are varied. The SCATS - another organisation has donated books to be distributed among universities, libraries and schools which also should be admired.

With the dawn of peace following the defeat of the world’s most brutal terrorism by the President Sri Lanka, it could turn over a new leaf in the sphere of economic social and industrial development. Having survived the horrors of terrorism, economic recovery is an urgent need. Well and truly Sri Lanka could easily achieve significant development in every sphere in the near future.

There is assistance pledged for relief, rehabilitation and economic recovery by friendly countries, among whom Australia stands prominent. At a time that Sri Lanka has dedicated to the development of the country more and more aid is welcome, for national growth and development.