List of high commissioners of Australia to Sri Lanka explained

Post:High Commissioner of Australia to Sri Lanka
Insignia:Coat of Arms of Australia.svg
Insigniasize:120px
Department:Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Incumbent:Paul Stephens
Seat:Colombo
Nominator:Prime Minister of Australia
Style:His Excellency
Appointer:Governor-General of Australia
Formation:19 December 1946
Inaugural:Charles Frost
Website:Australian High Commission, Colombo

The high commissioner of Australia to Sri Lanka is an officer of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the head of the High Commission of the Commonwealth of Australia to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in Colombo. The high commissioner has the rank and status of an ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary and also holds non-resident accreditation as high commissioner to the Maldives since 1974. The high commissioner since July 2022 is Paul Stephens.

History of relations and office

Sri Lanka and Australia have enjoyed official diplomatic relations since December 1946, following the decision of the British Government to grant limited self-government to Ceylon, with the first parliamentary elections being held by late 1947. As a consequence of the limited sovereign status of Ceylon (possessing neither Dominion status nor full independence) the government of Ben Chifley made the decision to appoint a Commissioner, who had diplomatic standing but not the same powers or rank as a full high commissioner. In the announcement the Australian Government clarified that: "The new title of Commissioner for the appointment [was] chosen because of the unique status which Ceylon will enjoy in the Empire. It will have a legislature patterned on Dominion Parliaments, but as it will lack Dominion or foreign country status, it would be inappropriate for Australia to appoint either a high commissioner or a minister."[1] On 16 January 1947 the first Commissioner was appointed, Charles Frost, a former Labor member of parliament and minister who had lost his seat at the 1946 election.[2] When Ceylon was granted Dominion status, Frost was upgraded to full high commissioner and was present at the swearing-in of the first Governor-General of Ceylon, Sir Henry Monck-Mason Moore, on 4 February 1948.[3]

Frost's appointment did not go without protest however, given the political nature of the appointment, and his performance came under increased scrutiny in late 1948 when Australian businessman V. M. Segal criticised him for neglecting Australia's fledgling trade interests in the country and not having the proper credentials to serve in such a post: "With his staff, he is kept there at considerable expense to this country. It is the biggest sinecure I know."[4] With a change in government, the new Liberal government of Prime Minister Robert Menzies made the decision to terminate Frost's appointment early (he had been commissioned to serve a five-year term) on 5 October 1950.[5] On 19 January 1951 the Minister for External Affairs, Percy Spender, appointed a career diplomat, Dr John Burton, to succeed Frost as high commissioner.[6] However, Burton's tenure also proved short-lived when he resigned his office on 28 March 1951, notifying Spender that he had resigned to contest the April 1951 federal election as a Labor candidate for the seat of Lowe against the sitting member, William McMahon (he was unsuccessful).[7] On 22 May 1972, the Government of Ceylon approved a new republican constitution that renamed the country 'Sri Lanka' and changed its status to that of a Republic within the Commonwealth.[8]

Relations with the Maldives

In 1974, Australia established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Maldives and the high commissioner in Colombo received non-resident accreditation as high commissioner to the Maldives.[9] Between July 1982 and October 2016, and since 1 February 2020, the Australian high commissioner to Sri Lanka has also been high commissioner to the Maldives. Between 1974 and 1982, and from October 2016 to 1 February 2020, this office was as Ambassador.

Office-holders

Officeholder Title Other offices Term start date Term end date Time in office Notes
Commissioner of Australia to the Colony of Ceylon
High Commissioner of Australia
to the Dominion of Ceylon
align=right
Alex Borthwick Chargé d'affairesalign=right [10]
High Commissioner of Australia
to the Dominion of Ceylon		align=right [11] [12]
align=right years[13]
align=right years[14]
align=right [15] [16]
align=right [17]
H. D. Whitealign=right [18]
H. G. Marshall[19]
High Commissioner of Australia to Sri Lanka
Alex Borthwickalign=right [20]
Warwick Mayne-Wilsonalign=right [21]
David Rutteralign=right [22]
Robert Cottonalign=right [23]
align=right [24] [25]
Howard Debenhamalign=right [26]
Bill Tweddellalign=right [27]
align=right [28]
Peter Rowealign=right [29]
David Binnsalign=right [30]
Dr Greg Frenchalign=right [31]
Kathy Klugmanalign=right [32]
align=right years[33] [34]
Bryce Hutchessonalign=right [35] [36] [37]
David Hollyalign=right [38]
Paul Stephensincumbentalign=right [39]

Notes

Also served as non-resident Ambassador to the Republic of Maldives, between 1974 and 1982, and between October 2016 to 1 February 2020.

Also served as non-resident High Commissioner to the Republic of Maldives, between July 1982 and October 2016, and since 1 February 2020.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Ceylon's Importance. . . Adelaide . 20 December 1946 . 17 August 2015 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
  2. News: Frost Appointed Commissioner To Ceylon. . . Wagga Wagga, NSW . 17 January 1947 . 17 August 2015 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
  3. News: CEYLON BECOMES DOMINION. . . Melbourne . 5 February 1948 . 17 August 2015 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
  4. News: Opportunity To Trade With Ceylon Missed. . . 19 November 1948 . 17 August 2015 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
  5. News: C. W. FROST LOSES JOB. . . 4 October 1950 . 17 August 2015 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
  6. News: BURTON TO CEYLON. . The Sydney Morning Herald. 20 January 1951 . 17 August 2015 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  7. News: Dr. Burton Resigns As Ceylon High Commissioner. . The Sydney Morning Herald. NSW . 29 March 1951 . 17 August 2015 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  8. News: CEYLON Republic of Sri Lanka born. . The Canberra Times. ACT . 23 May 1972 . 17 August 2015 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
  9. Web site: Maldives country brief – Bilateral relations. DFAT. Australian Government. 17 August 2015.
  10. News: DR. BURTON RESIGNS POST. . . 29 March 1951 . 17 August 2015 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
  11. News: CEYLON POST FOR MR. CUTLER, V.C. . . Hobart, Tas. . 1 March 1952 . 17 August 2015 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  12. News: CUTLER NEW MINISTER TO EGYPT. . The Canberra Times. ACT . 15 June 1955 . 17 August 2015 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
  13. News: Ex-Minister N.Z. High Commissioner. . The Canberra Times. ACT . 25 August 1962 . 17 August 2015 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
  14. Joan Beaumont, 'Kevin, John Charles George (1909–1968)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/kevin-john-charles-george-10732/text19019, published first in hardcopy 2000, accessed online 17 August 2015.
  15. David Lee, 'Ballard, Bertram Charles (1903–1981)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/ballard-bertram-charles-12168/text21805, published first in hardcopy 2007, accessed online 17 August 2015.
  16. News: Move To Asia For Diplomats. . The Canberra Times. ACT . 17 July 1962 . 17 August 2015 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
  17. News: Ceylon post filled. . The Canberra Times. ACT . 8 December 1965 . 17 August 2015 . 20 . National Library of Australia.
  18. News: Diplomatic posts announced. . The Canberra Times. ACT . 23 January 1970 . 17 August 2015 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
  19. News: IN BRIEF. The Canberra Times. ACT . 1 May 1972 . 17 August 2015 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  20. News: Two new jobs for envoy. . The Canberra Times. ACT . 19 July 1975 . 17 August 2015 . 11 . National Library of Australia.
  21. News: Diplomatic postings. . The Canberra Times. ACT . 1 November 1979 . 17 August 2015 . 11 . National Library of Australia.
  22. News: High Commissioners' postings. . The Canberra Times. ACT . 13 February 1982 . 18 August 2015 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
  23. News: New envoy named. . The Canberra Times. ACT . 16 March 1985 . 18 August 2015 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  24. News: VICE-REGAL. . The Canberra Times. ACT . 14 May 1988 . 18 August 2015 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
  25. Web site: ParlInfo - Diplomatic appointment - Sri Lanka and the Maldives. 2021-03-11. parlinfo.aph.gov.au.
  26. News: IN BRIEF. The Canberra Times. ACT . 1 January 1992 . 18 August 2015 . 14 . National Library of Australia.
  27. News: Mission head named. . The Canberra Times . ACT . 15 February 1995 . 18 August 2015 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
  28. Web site: Downer. Alexander. DIPLOMATIC APPOINTMENT: NEW HIGH COMMISSIONER TO SRI LANKA. Minister for Foreign Affairs. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia. 17 August 2015. Media Release. 28 June 1996.
  29. Web site: Downer. Alexander. Diplomatic Appointment: High Commissioner To Sri Lanka. Minister for Foreign Affairs. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia. 17 August 2015. Media Release. 26 October 1998.
  30. Web site: Downer. Alexander. Diplomatic Appointment: High Commissioner To Sri Lanka. Minister for Foreign Affairs. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia. 17 August 2015. Media Release. 13 August 2001.
  31. Downer. Alexander. Alexander Downer. Diplomatic Appointment: High Commissioner To Sri Lanka. Australian Government. https://web.archive.org/web/20140212013057/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2004/fa141_04.html. 12 February 2014. 14 October 2004.
  32. Smith. Stephen. Stephen Smith (Australian politician). Diplomatic Appointment: High Commissioner To Sri Lanka. Australian Government. https://web.archive.org/web/20150411075256/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2007/fa-s003_07.html. 11 April 2015. 21 December 2007.
  33. Rudd. Kevin. Kevin Rudd. Diplomatic Appointment: High Commissioner To Sri Lanka. Australian Government. 7 January 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714151924/http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/Pages/2012/kr_mr_120107a.aspx?ministerid=2. 14 July 2014.
  34. News: Six new envoys present credentials . 1 July 2014 . Hiru News . 12 March 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140714210157/http://www.hirunews.lk/29679/six-new-envoys-present-credentials . 14 July 2014 . dead .
  35. Bishop . Julie . Julie Bishop . High Commissioner to Sri Lanka . Australian Government . 17 November 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160113214407/http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/Pages/2015/jb_mr_151126.aspx?url=http%3A%2F%2Fforeignminister.gov.au%2Freleases%2FPages%2F2015%2Fjb_mr_151117.aspx%3Fw%3Dtb1CaGpkPX%2FlS0K%2Bg9ZKEg%3D%3D&type=replay&date=20160113214017 . 13 January 2016 . dead .
  36. News: Bryce Hutchesson appointed Australia's next High Commissioner to SL. 18 November 2015. Daily Mirror. Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.
  37. News: Australia and Sri Lanka – Closing in on a billion in two-way trade. 29 February 2016. Bryce. Hutchesson. Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.
  38. Web site: 2019-01-29. High Commissioner to Sri Lanka. 2021-03-11. Minister for Foreign Affairs.
  39. Wong. Penny. Penny Wong. High Commissioner to Sri Lanka. Australian Government. 6 July 2022.

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