At the first election to the State Council of Ceylon (the unicameral legislature) in June 1931, the universal franchise was extended to all people, to elect 50 members to the legislature. Ceylon is regarded as the oldest democracy in Asia, with Universal Adult Franchise (right to vote) being extended to both men and women, before it’s independence, and before being extended in many other countries.

October 1945, the Free Education Policy came into effect; stating that every child above the age of 5 and not more than 16 is entitled to free education. This has benefited generations of students and has enabled Sri Lanka to succeed in achieving the Millennium Development Goal of Universal Primary Education.

Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull visited Sri Lanka on 2 November 2017 and held productive discussions with President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. The visit coincided with the 70th anniversary of bilateral relations and were part of a series of high level visits between the two countries. Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe visited Australia from 13–17 February 2017 and President Maithrpala Sirisena undertook a State Visit to Australia from 24-26 May 2017.

During the visit, Prime Minister Turnbull and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe witnessed the signing of a bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement, which would establish regular senior officials' talks to facilitate trade and investment. The Framework follows on from the Joint Declaration on Enhanced Cooperation signed during President Sirisena's visit to Australia in May 2017.

Diplomatic Relations with the United States of America was established on 29 October 1948, with the Embassy of Ceylon opening in Washington, D.C. with Sir Claude Corea as Ambassador.

Diplomatic Relations with the Republic of Turkey established.

On February 4, 1948, Ceylon was granted independence as the Dominion of Ceylon. Dominion status within the British Commonwealth was retained for the next 24 years until May 22, 1972 when it became a republic and was renamed the Republic of Sri Lanka.

Diplomatic Relations with the Republic of India established in 1948.

The High Commission premises today.

Diplomatic Relations with the French Republic established on 27 October 1948.