Sri Lanka Association of NSW Inc President Kalinga Wijeyewardene – Report 2023/24
Ayubowan! Vannakam! Aslam Alaikum! Welcome!
In November 2023 when I was elected by you as the President of the Sri Lanka Association, I stated in my inaugural address that I wish to reinvigorate the founding
principles of our Association and to go back to our roots. The Association was founded
in 1972 as a home for all those of Sri Lankan origin living in New South Wales. It was open to all, irrespective of ethnic origin or religious beliefs and affiliations. It was not limited to Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher or Malay communities or those following Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam or Christianity.
In pursuing this vision, the Association under my leadership reached out to all communities and religious groups.
For the first time in the history of our Association, we participated in an Iftar event during Ramadan organised by the Austra Lanka Muslim Association (ALMA) attended by over 400 Sri Lanka Muslims living in Sydney. We also participated in Vesak Bakthi Geeta programme of the Lankarama Buddhist Vihara. We participated in the Sinhala & Tamil New Year celebrations organised by the Sinhala Cultural Forum. We reached out to the Tamil and Hindu community and the Sri Lanka Catholic Association and the Sri Lanka Malay Association by supporting and participating in their events.
Sri Lanka Independence Day Celebrations
The 76th Independence Day of Sri Lanka was celebrated by the Sri Lanka Association of
NSW Inc (SLA) and the Sinhalese Cultural Forum (SCF) with the active participation of
Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, Malay, and Burgher communities on 4th February 2024 at the Roselea Community Centre, Sydney.
In the absence of the Sri Lanka Consulate in Sydney, which was closed in 2022, the SLA
and SCF took upon the task of celebrating Sri Lanka’s National Day in an elegant and grand event graced by a large gathering of Sri Lankans from all ethnicities and wellwishers and dignitaries from the wider Australian community.
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A highlight of the event was the blessings from the invited religious dignitaries from the
four major religions Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam practised in Sri Lanka for a prosperous and united Sri Lanka.
The Independence Day Messages of His Excellency President Ranil Wickremasinghe and the Hon Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardene were read out in Sinhalese, Tamil, and English as well as the message of the Foreign Minister Hon Ali Sabry.
Among the highlights was hoisting of the Sri Lankan flag inside the hall by the President
of SLA and the President of SCF amidst the beating of Magul Bera, the childrens choir singing the national anthems of Sri Lanka and Australia, and lighting of the traditional lamp by dignitaries. Another highlight was to commemorate the friendship between India and Sri Lanka two tree saplings were presented by the Indian Support Centre President Subba Rao Varigonda to the Presidents of the SLA and SCF.
Sri Lanka’s diverse culture was showcased with several Sinhalese and Tamil music, dance and song items entertaining the guests.
Morning refreshments with Kiribath and traditional Sri Lanka food was served for the guests and lunch with Hoppers and Rice and Curry was served after the event.
Collaboration between Sri Lanka Association and Austra – Lanka Muslim Association during Ramadan
As part of my initiative to build bridges between the various Sri Lankan Communities in
NSW, the SLA participated in an Iftar Event during the Holy Month of Ramadan organised by the Austra – Lanka Musim Association (ALMA).
Iftar is the meal eaten after sunset following the breaking of the fast-following Maghrib prayers. Iftar or the breaking of the fast, is one of the most significant points in the day during Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar.
The Iftar event at the Granville Community Centre in Sydney was attended by over 300 Sri Lankan Muslim community members. The SLA Committee and their spouses participated in the event and were warmly welcomed by Mohamed Rizme Cassim President of ALMA and the committee members of ALMA.
Both SLA President and ALMA President observed that this was an excellent opportunity to foster collaboration and mutual support between our organizations for the betterment of the Sri Lankan community in NSW and to understand and appreciate the culture and religious observances of the Sri Lanka Musim community.
I thank SLA Vice President Jabeer Cader for taking the lead in organising the event on the decision taken by the SLA Committee to collaborate with ALMA.
This was a historic occasion as it was the first time that the SLA had participated in a significant religious observance of the Sri Lanka Musim Community.
Participation at Sunfest Sinhala & Tamil New Year Celebrations.
The Sri Lankan traditional New Year, generally known as Aluth Avurudda in Sri Lanka, is a Sri Lankan holiday that celebrates the traditional New Year of the Sinhalese and Tamil population of Sri Lanka. It is a major event celebrated by not only the Sinhalese and Tamil people but by most Sri Lankans.
The Sri Lanka Association participated in this years Sunfest Festival celebrating the Sinhala & Tamil New Year Celebrations organised by the Sinhala Cultural Forum. It was
attended by a large gathering and featured traditional food, games and cultural performances.
Addressing the gathering, I thanked the Sinhala Cultural Forum for organising the event
in a grand manner. I said that it is very important for the younger generation of Sri Lankans born in Australia to engage with their roots by participating in the traditional customs, food, games and dances associated with the New Year festivities so that they appreciate and value our traditional culture. It is also important as they are the future leaders of our community and they will be entrusted to carry forward these traditions in the years to come. I commended the parents for bringing their children to this event so that they would live and feel the cultural heritage that is theirs.
SLA Participation in Lankarama Temple Wesak Programme
The Wesak festival commemorates the birth, enlightenment (Nibbāna), and death (Parinirvāna) of Gautama Buddha. It is a holy day in the Buddhist calendar and falls on the Full Moon day in May.
In Sydney, Wesak is celebrated on a grand scale at the Lankarama Temple. This year
several thousands of devotees gathered at the temple on Wesak Day. The Temple was
decorated with colourful lanterns and mini Pandals.
The Sri Lanka Association and its members participated in the celebrations and religious
observances. In particular SLA participated in the Wesak Bakthi Geetha (Devotional songs) programme. A SLA choir of twelve including committee members sang the song “Mal Sugande Dham Sugande” before a large gathering. The song was well received and
the audience commended the Choir.
A special thanks to Thilk Ekanayake for encouraging our members to take part in this
event, organising several practice sessions and ensuring that the choir arrived on time for the event.
HSC High Achievers Awards 2024 presented by Sri Lanka Association of NSW
The Sri Lanka Association of New South Wales (SLA) held the Annual HSC High Achievers Award Ceremony at the Don Moore Community Centre in Sydney.
The recognition, felicitation and honouring those HSC students of Sri Lankan origin by the SLA has been an annual feature and event in the calendar of the Sri Lankan Community of NSW for over 20 years.
Each year students who have performed to an exceptional high standard at the High School Certificate examination in that year and received an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 95 and above are recognised. The ATAR rank is used to offer
undergraduate places by Universities in NSW.
Pride of place was given to the high achieving students as it was their day to shine. They were invited to light the traditional lamp following which I gave a speech underlying the fact that the cream of the Sri Lanka youth in NSW was gathered at the event to be honoured. I said that the Sri Lankan community was in good hands for the future with these high achieving students taking the lead in the Sri Lanka community in time to come. I invited the students to join the SLA and take up the challenge of steering it for the benefit of the Sri Lankan community into the future.
A keynote address was given by Professor Wije Ariyaratne Professor of Civil Engineering
at the University of Sydney and Adjunct Professor of Civil Engineering University of Technology Sydney. In his speech Prof Ariyaratne stated that entering a university marks the beginning of an exciting journey, one filled with opportunities, challenges, and countless moments that will shape the student’s future. He also said to remember that university is not just about academics. It’s a place where you will grow, explore your
passions, and discover who you truly are.
Other speakers were Jenny Mai representing CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management
Accountants) who sponsored the event and Aubrey Joachim former President of CIMA
The students who were recognised at the event were
- JASMIN USHAM
- PRATIKSHAAH SATHEESAN
- LAKNI DINARA KALUPAHANA
- TAMIZ MAALIK RUMEY JIFFREY
- SENUJA ENUKA MALLAWA
- LARA NUNAN
- BANUJA THENUKA MALLAWA
- PARAMI KURUPPU
- ZARFISHAN REHAN UDDIN
- AAYSHA MANAAL FAHIM
- BIMASHICHAMODYAWICKRAMASINGHE
Each student was awarded a takeaway trophy inscribed with their name and individual ATAR score and a Certificate of Achievement. Jasmin Usham with an ATAR score of 99.60 had the highest ATAR score and was awarded the Ashoak Nanayakkara Perpetual Trophy. The event concluded with the playing of the National Anthems of Sri Lanka & Australia.
Annual Seniors Day Luncheon
The Annual Seniors Day Luncheon organised by the Sri Lanka Association was held with
the active participation of over 120 seniors’ family members and well-wishers. A sumptuous lunch of Lamprias served buffet style was served to those attending the event at cost. Feedback from those attending the event was that the lunch was delicious and more than enough for second serves of food.
A full programme of entertainment was provided for those attending the event. Live performances by Lalith Fernando, violin recital by Sathmi Ranasinghe with popular tunes “Ganga Addara” and Kaffringha dance music, singing of popular western songs with audience participation by Sherine Prins playing the ukulele were the highlights. Dance music was also provided with Baila and other popular Sri Lankan tunes and songs by DJ Saliya Tennekoon.
Another feature was the Health presentation given by Angela Peris Director, Heart to Heart Wellness Centre on ‘Heart Health” which was well received by the Seniors. Angela
also provided 50 complimentary copies of her book ‘Loving Your Heart” to the audience.
After lunch the audience enjoyed the entertainment and took to the dance floor to enjoy
the day.
Sri Lanka Association of NSW Inc Gala Spring Ball 2024
The Sri Lanka Association of NSW Inc celebrated its Gala Spring Ball on Saturday the 19th of October 2024 at the Waterview, Bicentennial Park, Sydney Olympic Park in grand style in the presence of a large number of guests from the Sri Lankan Community.
Messages wishing the Association for the occasion, were received from, the Premier of
New South Wales, Hon Chris Minns MP, and the High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in
Australia, Mrs. Chitrangani Wagiswara.
The Event commenced with the playing of the National Anthems of Sri Lanka and
Australia. In my welcome speech I said the Association has always been for all Sri Lankans irrespective of their ethnicity, religion or social standing within a framework of a United and Democratic Sri Lanka. SLA is the bridge between our community and the Federal and State Governments which sought and valued our input into policies on Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan Community in NSW. I also recalled that due to our lobbying efforts the Australian Government provide $50 million in humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka during the recent economic crisis.
The Main Sponsor of the Event was Oak Ray Hotels Group from Sri Lanka. They were represented by Dr Harold Gunatillake Chairman (& former President of SLA) and Sujeewa Palliyaguruge CEO and Owner and his wife Michelle. Dr Gunatillake in his speech recalled his time as President of SLA and the important role SLA plays in the Sri Lankan Community.
The MC Senani Gunasekera kept the program on track in his inimitable style. Several Raffle prizes were on offer including two return air tickets Sydney Colombo from Sri Lankan Airlines and hotels stays from Oak Ray Hotels (two prizes), Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort (two prizes) Kingsbury Hotel and Arunya Resort Kandy. A door prize of a hamper of Taylor Wines donated by Dr Ruwan Walpola was also drawn. An auction of items including cricket memorabilia, and an Oroton Leather Brief case was successfully concluded by MC Senani Gunasekera.
The guests old and young were on the dance floor after the formalities were over, dancing to the music of DJ Valentine and Ebony who played some fabulous songs specially curated for the Sri Lankan taste. The event ended with all the guests dancing to the rhythmic beat of Sri Lankan baila.
Maintaining a High Profile for the Sri Lanka Association
I have worked hard to maintain a high profile of the Association with both Federal and
State Governments. I have had regular contact with the Departments of Foreign Affairs,
Home Affairs, Border Security and Multicultural Affairs and the NSW Premiers Department. During the year we obtained a grant from Multicultural NSW. Our Association is held in high regard by Government and recently I was invited with my wife to attend a barbeque and meet King Charles III and Queen Camilla by the Premier Chris Minns. This is a singular honour to our Association. There have been previous visits to Sydney by Royalty but I understand this is the first time the President of the Sri Lanka Association has been invited.
I am happy to state that we have built a firm foundation for the Association to go forward in the coming Year. I thank the members of my committee for their support during the year and the membership of the Association for supporting and participating at events organised by the SLA.
On a personal note I wish to thank members of the executive committee and past presidents and other members who asked me to continue as president for the next year. I respectfully declined as it is my turn to help and standby my wife Ramani as she did for me this year in her important role as Director and head of Toastmasters International in New South Wales next year. I will be the Chair of the organising committee for the three-day Toastmasters Convention in 2026 under her leadership.
Kalinga Wijeyewardene
President 2023/24
03 November 2024
