By Sri lanka Association of NSW Inc
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.
President of the Association Kalinga Wijeyewardene in his welcome speech recalled the numerous functions which were organized throughout the year by the Association. These included Sri Lanka’s Independence Day celebrations which was organized together with the Sinhala Cultural Forum in the absence of an official celebration due to the closure of the Sri Lankan Consulate in Sydney. For the first time in its history SLA joined the Sri Lankan Muslim Community in an Iftar celebration during Ramadan in collaboration with the Austra Lanka Muslim Association. The SLA also honored the HSC High Achievers of Sri Lankan origin who obtained an ATAR score of 95 and above at an elegant ceremony. SLA members also participated in the Lankarama Buddhist Temple Wesak celebrations by organizing a Bakthi Geetha choir. A seniors day lunch with live entertainment from guest artists was also successfully organized by the SLA.
Kalinga 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. He 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.
Anoja De Alwis proposed a Vote of Thanks thanking our sponsors for their support and guests for their presence and the SLA committee for organizing the event.
Please enjoy the photos of the event from Roy Grafix below.
SLA – Gala Spring Ball 2024
