Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Melbourne Information

The Office of the Consulate General of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in Victoria was established on 21 June 2013 in Melbourne with the principle objective of providing consular services to the Sri Lankan expatriate community and Australians. The Consulate General has jurisdiction over the Australian States of Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. Diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Australia were formally established in 1947. The establishment of a Sri Lankan diplomatic mission in Victoria was necessitated by the growing numbers of the Sri Lankan expatriate community, students, visitors and promotion of trade and investment, sports, tourism and more. Sri Lankans (formerly Ceylonese) started settling in Victoria in the 19th century. Their presence was first identified in the census conducted in 1871. The Sri Lankan (Ceylonese) in Victoria remained small until the abolishment of the “White Australia” policy in 1973. The end of the "White Australia" policy saw an increase in the arrival of Sri Lankan migrants to Victoria. According to the Australian census of 2011, the number of Sri Lankans recorded in Victoria was 43,991. Sri Lankans are the eighth largest migrant population in Victoria. Of this population, 53% speak Sinhalese, 16% speak Tamil, and most others speak English. Religious diversity follows a similar pattern, with 42% Buddhist, 40% Christian and 12% Hindu. The Consulate General of Sri Lanka is committed to serve the Sri Lankan Community and Australians who wish to avail its services and we have been endeavoring to meet the demand.