History of Australia–Sri Lanka relations in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 16, 2026

Australia and Sri Lanka maintain diplomatic relations as members of the Commonwealth. A significant Sri Lankan diaspora exists in Australia, evidenced by the 2022 census reporting over 145,000 Sri Lankan-born migrants residing in Australia. This migration has fostered cultural and social ties between the two nations, with Australia becoming a notable destination for Sri Lankans seeking new opportunities.

1949: Ceylon opens High Commission in Canberra

In 1949, after gaining independence from the United Kingdom, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) established a High Commission in Canberra, marking a significant step in formalizing diplomatic relations with Australia.

1951: Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake visits Australia

In 1951, Ceylon's Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake became the first high-profile diplomatic visitor to Australia, signaling a strengthening of ties between the two nations.

1954: Prime Minister Sir John Kotelawala visits Australia

In 1954, Ceylon's Prime Minister Sir John Kotelawala visited Australia, further solidifying diplomatic engagement between the two countries.

June 11, 1975: First Cricket Encounter

On June 11, 1975, Australia and Sri Lanka played their first cricket match during the group stage of the 1975 Cricket World Cup, with Australia winning by 52 runs.

1978: President Junius Richard Jayewardene visits Australia

In 1978, President Junius Richard Jayewardene of Sri Lanka visited Australia, continuing the trend of high-level diplomatic exchanges.

December 1995: Muralitharan MCG incident

In December 1995, during a Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan was no-balled multiple times by Australian umpire Darrell Hair for allegedly throwing the ball, sparking controversy and debate.

1996: Sri Lanka Wins 1996 Cricket World Cup

In 1996, Sri Lanka defeated Australia in the Cricket World Cup final, marking a significant underdog victory and a highlight in the cricket rivalry between the two nations.

2007: Two-way trade agreement between Australia and Sri Lanka

In 2007, Australia and Sri Lanka established a two-way trade agreement valued at $232 million annually, encompassing exports from Australia like vegetables and dairy products, and imports from Sri Lanka including tea, other foods, textiles, clothing, rubber, iron, and steel.

2007: Australia Wins 2007 Cricket World Cup

In 2007, Australia defeated Sri Lanka in the Cricket World Cup final. This further intensified the cricket rivalry between the two nations.

October 2008: Australia expresses concern over Sri Lanka conflict

In October 2008, Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith conveyed to his Sri Lankan counterpart that military action alone would not resolve the dispute with the Tamil separatists.

2008: Estimated budget for aid to Sri Lanka

In 2008, the estimated budget for aid to Sri Lanka was $27 million, reflecting Australia's commitment to supporting the country's development.

April 2009: Australian Government announces humanitarian aid

In April 2009, the Australian Government pledged an additional A$4.5 million in humanitarian aid to assist in the aftermath of the civil war in Sri Lanka, allocating $1.5 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organisation for Migration.

May 2009: Australia urges political solution in Sri Lanka

In May 2009, Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith emphasized that Sri Lanka should pursue a political solution with the Tamils to prevent another generation from resorting to terrorism.

2011: President Mahinda Rajapaksa attends CHOGM summit in Perth

In 2011, President Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka participated in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) summit held in Perth, Australia.

2013: Australia to donate navy patrol boats to Sri Lanka

During Prime Minister Tony Abbott's visit to Sri Lanka for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2013, he announced that Australia would donate two navy patrol boats to the Sri Lankan Navy to enhance collaboration on combating people smuggling.

2013: Sri Lanka opens Consulate-General in Melbourne

In 2013, Sri Lanka opened a Consulate-General in Melbourne, further expanding its diplomatic presence in Australia, in addition to its High Commission in Canberra.

2014: Australia transfers patrol boats to Sri Lanka

In 2014, Australia transferred two Bay-class patrol boats to the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance maritime security cooperation.

November 2017: PM Malcolm Turnbull visits Sri Lanka

In November 2017, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull visited Sri Lanka, reinforcing the ongoing diplomatic and political connections between the two nations.

2017: 70 Years of Australia-Sri Lanka Relations

2017 marked the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Sri Lanka, commemorated by a state visit to Australia by Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe.

2022: Australian team tours Sri Lanka amid crisis

In 2022, during Sri Lanka's political and economic crisis, the Australian national cricket team toured the island, receiving widespread support and gratitude from the Sri Lankan people.

2022: Sri Lankan migration to Australia

In 2022, the Australian national census reported that at least 145,430 individuals born in Sri Lanka had migrated to Australia, highlighting Australia as a significant destination for Sri Lankan migrants.

2023: Australian aircraft joins Sri Lanka Air Force

In May 2023, a former Royal Australian Air Force Beechcraft KA350 King Air aircraft (registration A32-673) was inducted into the Sri Lanka Air Force, further strengthening defense cooperation.