
COLOMBO
Australia and Sri Lanka are long standing development cooperation partners. Throughout 2024, our development program continued to deliver strong impact to help the most vulnerable in the community. Working with Sri Lankan and multilateral development partners, our main areas of focus were: enhancing livelihoods for sustainable and inclusive economic growth; strengthening democratic and governance systems; building resilience to climate and disaster risks; supporting gender equality; and promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities.
In December 2024, we were excited to launch a new program Together for Her: Resilience-Building, Inclusivity and Voices for Equality in Sri Lanka – THRIVE. Working with UN Women and Chrysalis, this new 5-year program will advance gender equality in Sri Lanka, taking a long-term approach to tackling harmful social norms, preventing gender-based violence and supporting around 2000 women-led businesses. This flagship program will be a cornerstone of our development cooperation for years to come.
Second Secretary Ms. Sophie Gordon, Deputy High Commissioner Ms. Lalita Kapur and High Commissioner H.E. Mr. Paul Stephens were joined by UN Women Regional Director Ms. Christine Arab, Chrysalis CEO Ms. Ashika Gunasena and UN Women Sri Lanka Head of Office Ms. Ramaaya Salgado at the launch of THRIVE
Via Australian Government support, women in Batticaloa receive vital health supplies after the December 2024 floods.
Photo: Red Cross
In December 2024, following flooding in Eastern Province, Disaster Management Centres were able to draw on Australia’s Regional Prepositioning Initiative with UNFPA (a UNFPA Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan Red Cross Society collaboration) to respond quickly and sensitively to the health needs of women. Maternity kits and dignity kits were distributed to vulnerable communities within 48 hours of the emergency being declared.
To support tourism in Sri Lanka, Australia’s Skills for Inclusive Growth (S4IG) program worked with partners to develop quality tourism offerings in Sri Lanka. For example, we supported Sri Lanka’s first female surf club at Arugam Bay, helping to train and accredit women and men as qualified surf instructors. In 2024, two Sri Lankans became the country’s first International Surfing Association/Surf Federation accredited trainers.