{"id":41781,"date":"2020-02-06T12:11:54","date_gmt":"2020-02-06T12:11:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/?p=41781"},"modified":"2021-12-15T02:27:57","modified_gmt":"2021-12-15T02:27:57","slug":"photos-from-the-bush-fire-relief-fundraiser-by-sri-lankans-in-australia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/photos-from-the-bush-fire-relief-fundraiser-by-sri-lankans-in-australia\/","title":{"rendered":"Hearts Aflame –\u00a0Sydney Sri Lankan communities\u2019 Bush fire Fund Raising Event – Photos"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Hearts Aflame –\u00a0<\/strong>Sydney Sri Lankan communities\u2019 Bush fire Fund Raising Event<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

Photos by Chameera Jayasekera of CJPhotgraphy (cjphoto.com.au)<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

Click here or on the photos below to view the full album of photos on eLanka Facebook\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

\"Photos<\/a> \"Photos<\/a> \"Photos<\/a> \"Photos<\/a> \"Photos \"Desmond \"Photos \"Photos \"Russell \"Photos \"Photos \"Desmond \"Photos \"Photos<\/a> \"Photos<\/a><\/p>\n

Hearts Aflame –\u00a0<\/strong>Sydney Sri Lankan communities\u2019 Bush fire Fund Raising Event<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

The bushfire emergency in NSW and other States and Territories in Australia is an unprecedented national disaster. Sri Lankan communities living in Sydney including Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, Malay, Bhurger and other community groups including Professionals, Business owners, University Alumni, School Past Pupils Associations and Community Groups have graciously united to raise much needed funds for NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A formal Dinner Gathering \u201cHEARTS AFLAME\u201d was successfully presented at The Croatian Club Function Hall, Punchbowl on Saturday the 1 February 2020. The organising committee led by Saliya Tennakoon was comprised of 18 members representing Sri Lankan community\u00a0groups\u00a0in association with the staff of Sri Lanka Consulate General Office in Sydney.<\/span><\/p>\n

The event was graced by the Chief Guest Shadow Cabinet secretary, Member of the Legislative council Hon. Peter Primrose accompanied by Mrs\u00a0Jan\u00a0Primrose, representing the Leader of the opposition Jodie McKay. Other VIP\u2019s included Sri Lankan Consul General in Sydney Mr Nimal Bandara, Consul Commercial Mr\u00a0Abdul\u00a0Raheem and\u00a0Consul\u00a0Mrs.\u00a0Pushpa\u00a0Guruge and\u00a0the\u00a0Leaders of\u00a0the\u00a0community groups.\u00a0Mr Russel Arnold was present at the event as a guest of honour.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The event commenced with a spectacular traditional dance performance by Maathra dance studio in Sydney.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0Master of the ceremonies\u00a0Mr.\u00a0Duke Ramachandrawelcome all the guests and mentioned the community gathered around with passion and Love to support this nation\u00a0most of us\u00a0call our home. Duke made a heartfelt tribute to all the victims of Bushfire and their families and mentioned it was hard to comprehend the scale of this crisis. Duke pointed out Hearts Aflame has laid a foundation to support the Fire Fighters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Special messages sent by Leader of the opposition Jodi McKay and Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons of Rural Fire services were read out by the Secretary Madhu Arampatta.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mr Jagath Bandara from Sydney Api made the welcome speech and pointed out we have an\u00a0unconditional duty\u00a0to support Australia where we have gained so much and chose to be our second home.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chief guest Hon. Peter Primrose addressed the crowd and commended their support towards Bushfire Emergency.\u00a0 Mr Primrose mentioned Sri Lankan community should be proud what they have done so far and what will be done in the future too. He specifically commended the small businesses who has supported the cause and his involvement in rebuilding the affected areas with his political associates.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Sinhalese Cultural Forum of NSW supported the cause by donating all proceeds of their recent Lunch packet project. President, Upul Padukka Vidana handed in a cheque for $10,300 drawn in favour of The Rural Fire Service, to Sri Lanka consul general Mr Nimal Bandara. A collection of $3000 by\u00a0initiated by Nishantha Jayakody has\u00a0already being handed over to RFS.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the highlights of the night was\u00a0 interviewing volunteer fire Fighter Kanchana Fernando\u00a0 by the MC. Kanchana mentioned\u00a0the reason he joined in as a volunteer fire fighter to the RFS\u00a0was\u00a0he\u00a0simply\u00a0felt he has to give something back to the community he\u00a0was living in. He also mentioned they\u00a0fight the Bushfires as an\u00a0united front,\u00a0and that is exactly what he sees in Hearts Aflame\u00a0community gathering.<\/span><\/p>\n

The guests have enjoyed the relaxed environment with the understanding they are part of one of the most gracious events in Sydney on the night.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Guests indulged in a scrumptious traditional Sri Lankan buffet dinner by Blue Elephant caterers owned by\u00a0Mr.\u00a0Siva\u00a0Kumaran.<\/span><\/p>\n

Highlight of the night has been Auctioning of Cricket Bat Autographed by Legendary Sir Don Bradman donated by our Platinum sponsor Mr Harry Solomons of Kingsgrove\u00a0Sports.MC for the night Duke Ramachandran proved his amazing auctioneering skills by starting the Auction at $2000, and\u00a0passionately\u00a0driving \u00a0throughout the process,\u00a0engaging the enthusiastic crowd who could not resist the excitement and showed their generosity by splashing in bids from all around the hall. Dr Harrold\u2019s determination was clear right from the\u00a0start\u00a0that he\u00a0would be\u00a0taking\u00a0this\u00a0masterpiece\u00a0home\u00a0to his collection of exclusive memorabilia\u00a0and won the bid at $6500.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A silent Auction took place at the venue for the\u00a0kings of the court Autograph\u00a0photo\u00a0memorabilia\u00a0donated by Mr.Siva Kumaran of Blue Elephant which scored $1000 for this great cause.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The entertainment commenced with a joyous live musical rendition by the Band Mystery. The crowd danced away to the\u00a0music while\u00a0guest performer Mr Desmond de Silva entertained the crowd with vibrant Baila rendition engaging the enthusiastic\u00a0crowd.\u00a0Sound, Vision\u00a0and Lighting services provided by\u00a0\u00a0and Event 360 has glorified the venue\u00a0with\u00a0 vibrance in colour llighting\u00a0 and\u00a0surroundings.DJ Shankaster covered the entertainment session during short breaks by the band Mystery.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We extend our gratitude to our sponsors,<\/span><\/p>\n