The recent political change in Australia will have multiple benefits for Sri Lanka, said renowned Sri Lankan Barrister & Solicitor – Lawyer, Melbourne Australia for over 27 years, Don Susantha Katugampala.
Last month saw Scott Morrison sworn in as the 30th Prime Minister of Australia. Speaking to Daily News Business Katugampola who is the Principal, Fairfields Lawyers, he said that the new Aussie PM is for an ‘Open Australia’ where he welcomes legal skilled migration and overseas investments.
Katugampala who is an Accredited Immigration Law Specialist said that under the previous regime Australia was keener on a closed economy and the new PM, Morrison prefers an open policy.
Under this backdrop Sri Lankan investors are welcome to invest and better incentives are being offered. Investment openings are for Sri Lankans are available especially in the Mining, agriculture and tourism fields.
He said that the new Prime Minister was a former Minister of Immigration and the new government of Australia welcomes skilled migration. “Openings there for engineers, health and medical professionals, accountants, and for the hospitality industry.” He said that the new government has identified the need for skilled professionals to work outside popular and populated areas like Melbourne, Sydney and Perth.
Katugampola, also stressed that Australia would continue with the policy of discouraging illegal immigrants (boat People) and laws in this area would not be relaxed.
A board member of the SriLankan Airlines, he said that the Colombo Melbourne flight is in high demand and the airline should look at adding more destinations in Australia. “Though Bali is the preferred destination for Australian tourists with proper and focused marketing campaign, Sri Lanka take a major slice of this market. ‘Peace’ is the key to market Sri Lanka for Australians.”
Katugampala was awarded the ‘Best Lawyer Award’ at the Serendib Sri Lankan Community Awards in Australia three consecutive times as a respectful recognition of his service to Sri Lankan community in Australia. He continued to campaign to bring the Sri Lankan expats back and engage in the country’s development that is essential today.
Having started his career in Immigration Law In 1996, as Don Katugampala and Associates and in 1999 he established Fairfields Lawyers in Melbourne Australia that gained reputation nationally and internationally in Australian Immigration and Commercial legal advisory.
In the aftermath of the 2004 Asian Tsunami, he mustered the help of other Sri Lankan expats to attract the attention and assistance of both the Australian government and her people and he was a founding member of Australia - Sri Lanka Medical Aid Team (AUSLAMAT), which has extended over 20 million dollars’ worth of medical aid to people in need in Sri Lanka. (SS)
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