### Sri Lanka and Australia Strengthen Bilateral Economic & Security Ties š
A high-level meeting between the Presidential Secretariat and the Australian High Commission has reaffirmed a commitment to expanding cooperation across key economic and security sectors. ā¢ Education & Employment: Talks prioritized enhancing higher education ties and creating structured employment pathways for Sri Lankans in Australia, leveraging strong people-to-people links. ā¢ Security & Regional Stability: Both nations reaffirmed a joint commitment to maritime security in the Indian Ocean, focusing on combatting human smuggling and drug trafficking. ā¢ Future Cooperation: Australia pledged further support in critical growth areas for the Sri Lankan economy, specifically agriculture, sustainable development, and education. ā¢ Global Context: The High Commission noted that geopolitical instability, particularly the conflict in the Middle East, continues to impact global economic conditions for both nations. _Source: PMD (Based on provisional reporting March 2026)_ ---