Matthew Duckworth has been appointed as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, the Australian Ministry for Foreign Affairs announced.

Duckworth is a seasoned diplomat and senior officer in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, most recently serving as Assistant Secretary for the United States Trade Taskforce and Deputy Chief Negotiator for the Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement.

His previous international postings include diplomatic assignments in Indonesia and Cambodia.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong highlighted the strategic importance of Sri Lanka as a key partner for Australia in the Northeast Indian Ocean.

She emphasized that the bilateral relationship is grounded in strong community ties, a long-standing development partnership, increasing trade and investment, and a mutual commitment to peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region.

Minister Wong noted the close cooperation between Australia and Sri Lanka on critical issues such as maritime security, transnational crime, and people smuggling.

She also acknowledged the vital role of the Sri Lankan diaspora in Australia, which numbers over 160,000 and contributes significantly to the country’s multicultural fabric.

The Minister expressed gratitude to outgoing High Commissioner Paul Stephens for his service and efforts in strengthening bilateral relations since 2022.