Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunneththi pledged that Sri Lanka will be transformed into a nation with freedom, equality before the law, and opportunities similar to Australia, addressing overseas Sri Lankans at the Sri Lankan Entrepreneurs’ Night 2026 in Melbourne.
“A majority of those here are Sri Lankans. Despite the language we speak, we are from the same country, living at a 10‑hour distance. You might have left for Australia for education, business, or for a life with freedom and independence. I promise today, alongside you and the 18 million people who voted for us, that within a short period we will transform Sri Lanka into a country like Australia, where future generations can study and live with freedom, with equal laws, and where you would want to reside,” Handunneththi declared.
The Minister further emphasized the role of overseas entrepreneurs and investors in building a strong production‑based economy capable of overcoming Sri Lanka’s current challenges.
He noted that a new economic environment, free of corruption, investment‑friendly, and transparent, has already been established, and urged Sri Lankan entrepreneurs to spearhead industrial and technological advancement.
The forum, organized by the Australia Sri Lanka Business Forum (ASLBF), was held at The Grandeur in Melbourne. It drew a distinguished audience including Sri Lanka’s Consul General in Melbourne Pradeepa Saram, Australian Federal Parliamentarian Cassandra, Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman of the Export Development Board (EDB), and Dr. Sulakshana Jayawardena, Director General of the Board of Investment (BOI), along with diplomats and business leaders. (Newswire)