2025 Churchill Lecture

Join us for an exceptional evening of delicious food and fine company in the historic United Service Club.

The High Commissioner,
Her Excellency Yosoja Gunasekera

Topic: The British Empire’s quest for spices leads to Sri Lanka, the Island of Serendipity

EVENT INFORMATION:

TIME: 6 pm to 10 pm

DATE: Friday 1 August

DRESS CODE: Black tie or lounge suit and evening dress

VENUE: United Service Club, Glasgow Room, 183 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill

PARKING: Complimentary limited parking available after 5 pm,

entry Upper Edward Street

COST: $90 members; $95 non-members

ENQUIRIES: esuevents@esu.org.au

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Her Excellency is a distinguished career diplomat. She has served as Sri Lanka High Commissioner in Canberra since April 2025, presenting her credentials to Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Samantha Mostyn AC on 4 June 2025. She has two decades of experience in the Sri Lanka Foreign Service. She has held several prominent positions, including serving as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Indonesia from 2019 to 2022. During her tenure, she strengthened ties between Sri Lanka and Indonesia, emphasising historical, cultural and economic connections. Her diplomatic career also included roles as High Commissioner in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and Consul General in Guangzhou, China, where she established the Sri Lanka Consulate General. Additionally, she has represented Sri Lanka at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and the High Commission in New Delhi. Her diverse background, including experience in the private sector, has made her a dynamic and effective diplomat.