Sri Lanka High Commission Canberra, Australia 

Given the importance and interest on current developments in Sri Lanka and at the request by the University of New South Wales (UNSW) with the Institute of Global Development located in the University, the Sri Lanka High Commission collaborated with the UNSW to organize a RoundTable discussion on Pathways to Economic Recovery in Sri Lanka” which was held on Tuesday 17^th October 2023 at the UNSW Campus in Canberra.  The discussion was held in hybrid mode with Sri Lankan experts and professionals who joined the panel discussion virtually. 

The Panellists from Sri Lanka included Hon. Dr. Harsha De Silva, MP, Chair on Public Finance & former State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Mr. Sunil Handunnetti, Executive Committee Member of National People’s Power, former Deputy Minister and former Parliamentarian, Dr. Nishan De Mel, Executive Director of Verite Research, Sri Lanka, Mr. Dhananath Fernando, CEO of Advocata Institute, Sri Lanka, Dr. Ganeshan Wignaraja, Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka on Strategic Trade Policy and Board Member of Geopolitical Cartographer.  Prof. Satish Chand of UNSW Canberra School moderated the panel discussion and the Q & A Session. 

Hon. Tharaka Balasuriya, State Minister of Foreign Affairs, could not join the panel due to commitments in Parliament 

Dr. Sarath Mataraarachchi, Snr. Lecturer of UNSW, Sydney welcomed the participants and gave an outline of the subject matter and the objective of conducting the panel discussion from an academic point of view. 

Inaugurating the Roundtable discussion, Prof. Michael O’Donnell, Deputy Rector of UNSW welcomed the participants who joined virtually as well as the other observers who were in the audience. 

High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Australia, Chitranganee Wagiswara in her introductory remarks spoke briefly on the economic crisis and the debt recovery issue.  While appreciating the interest of the academics and Think Tanks in Australia on a subject of current interest to Sri Lanka, she stated that we in Sri Lanka welcome objective and independent views that would contribute to the deliberations on the subject.

Dr. Harsha De Silva spoke of the consequences of the present economic and debt crisis, the high taxes introduced by the present government and its affects, and issues the government of Sri Lanka could focus on to prioritize and rectify the Sri Lanka economy from the crisis situation. 

Mr. Handunnetti spoke of need to focus on political decisions that are necessary to bring about economic growth in the country.  The three representatives from the Think Tank highlighted the root causes that led to the economic and debt crisis and the decisions and requirements that need to be taken by the government of Sri Lanka to move forward in the recovery process. 

Prof. George Varughese, Director of the UNSW, Global Development Institute gave the Vote of Thanks and stated that the Roundtable discussion brought together scholars and practitioners to an open discussion on innovative pathways to economic recovery in Sri Lanka. The audience in Canberra included Prof Premachandra Athukorala, Emi. Professor of Economics in the Australian National University, officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade of Australia, and  Diplomatic Officers from the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra and other invitees.  

Sri Lanka High Commission Canberra, Australia 

20.10.2023