Sri Lankans in The Australian Foreign Service-by Michael Roberts
Lal Wickrematunga + Forster plus others
Source:Thuppahis
Victor Melder, in Memo dated 28 December 2022, correcting a major error in the recent Daily News Item
The news item in the Daily News of yesterday (see below) is NOT correct, we have had two Sri Lankan born Australian Ambassador’s. There could even be more.
The first: David Ian WILLÉ: born 1942, educated at Royal College, Colombo. Emigrated with his parents to Melbourne, Australia in 1957. Studied at Melbourne University, obtaining a BA and LLB. Appointed to the Australian Diplomatic Service and posted as Australian High Commissioner to the West Indies, on his return was appointed Head of the Russian desk at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Canberra. (see The Burghers of Ceylon Worldwide – Kelaart, 2007)
The second: Michele Forster, daughter of Cedric & Yvonne Forster (niece of Dr Quintus De Zylva), was Australian Ambassador to Laos, 2007–2011.
A NOTE: Victor has asked me to confirm this set of information. I did exchange info with Michel way back on some Sri Lankan literature, but have lost touch. I have little doubt Victor is correct … a web search led to these items … and Lal Wickrematunga & others will doubtless elaborate soon.
