Sunday Times 2
70 years of Australian-Lankan diplomatic ties marked with blood donation campaign in Canberra
View(s):The Sri Lanka High Commission commemorated the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Australia by organising a blood donation campaign on Saturday, April 29, in collaboration with the Red Cross Blood Service and the Sri Lankan community in Canberra. April 29 is the date on which the first High 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. 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 Member 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 made by Savitri Lecamwasam for the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms Orr said, “I congratulate the Sri Lanka High Commission for this unique way of celebrating the 70th Anniversary of our diplomatic relations, by donating blood as a gesture to symbolise the strong bonds of friendship and goodwill.â€
The High Commissioner said that “the blood donation programme was a goodwill gesture towards the wellbeing of the Australian people and acknowledged the near 150,000 Sri Lankans who have made Australia their home and contributed meaningfully to the economy.â€
The High Commissioner thanked Janaka Welikala from the Sri Lankan community in Canberra who helped the High Commission in organising the programme, and community members who participated.