President:

Ranjith Randeniya

(09) 815 7115

Vice President:

Renuka Anthony

(09) 962 6821

Secretary:

Mohamed Nalar

(09) 638 9376

Treasurer:

Ajith Sujeewa

(09) 524 9130

Committee Members:

Kumar Velamblam

(09) 276 3182

Jayasena Widanagamage

(09) 574 6723

Sydney Fernando

(09) 520 2304

Thusitha Perera

(09) 820 7357

Sarath Dhambagolla

(09) 529 9316

Suranga De Silva

(09) 589 1544

Auditor:

Nihal Jayawickrema

(09) 579 1807

News Letter Editor

Anne Perera

(09) 521 1655

Calendar of

Events:

Gypsies at ASB Stadium

Saturday, 25th May 2013

June 2013: Donation of

items to send to SL

AGM of NZSLF at

St Paul’s Church Hall,

Remuera

Saturday, 27th July 2013

Message from the President: Ranjith Randeniya

Sri Lankan Sport with Community

While volleyball has been declared as the national sport in Sri

Lanka, by far the most popular sport in the country is cricket.

The Sri Lankan cricket team has achieved considerable suc-

cess beginning in the 1990s, rising from underdog status to

winning the 1996 World Cup as well as the Asia Cup in 1996

and 2004. Sri Lanka remains one of the leading cricketing

nations in the world, with the national team reaching the finals

of the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

We are fortunate to have had Mr. Roshan Mahanama, a for-

mer Sri Lankan World Class Cricketer and currently an ICC

match referee visit New Zealand frequently over the past

months. I personally believe and respect him as a Sri Lankan

National treasure and a very successful sportsman of the

world. He studied at Nalanda College in Colombo and school

and the country are proud of his achievements. We were

fortunate to have him visit the Food Fair sponsored by NZSLF

in February 2013.

Sports give an opportunity for the people to develop their fu-

ture in a positive manner. In the sport we see the character of

our people, our history, culture and tradition, our laughter, our

tears and regrets. I believe the sports are a great tool to have

a successful future in our lives.

Hence, we have to encourage our children to engage in any

kind of sports and I would like to request our parents to sup-

port our children to participate in sports of their choice. This

will give a good start for the children and to keep them in good

health.

Also the sport is an opportunity to

focus on self-development and

discipline.

In New Zealand we have heaps of

opportunity and facilities to do

sports. Sri Lanka Cricket Club wel-

comes those who like to develop

their cricket carriers in New Zea-

land. The NZSLF sponsored

Dance Classes provide an oppor-

tunity for those who love dancing.

These are other sports like badmin-

ton, tennis, golf, swimming etc …

New Zealand Sri Lanka Founda-

tion is working towards creating

opportunities for all communities to

be wonderful citizens in the country

where we live. We display a

unique spirit enriched by the diver-

sity of our people. We are working

together in the true spirit of unity in

diversity, spreading this vision to-

gether in this wonderful land, New

Zealand as our home.

Ranjith Randeniya

Editor’s Note

Welcome to our Fall 2013 edition of the newsletter. Those of

you who were there to welcome “2013” at the Lanka Nite New

Years Eve party will agree that it was a night to remember.

The first main event of the Foundation in the new year was the

Sri Lankan Food Fair held at Mt Albert War Memorial Hall on

Saturday, 24th February. The event was graced by represen-

tatives of both National and Labour parties plus the leaders of

most Sri Lankan organisations in New Zealand We are most

grateful to all those who made it a success. A glimpse of that

event is highlighted in this issue of the newsletter along with

some news of 65th anniversary celebrations of Sri Lanka’s

independence.

Completing 65 years of independ-

ence means that Sri Lanka has

come a long way with all her ups

and downs.

We have featured some special

young Sri Lankans who have been

recognised for their talents and

hard work. Our Motherland seems

to be making progress to

strengthen her position as the

Paradise of the Indian Ocean.

Please feel free to send us your

feedback- Thanks

Anne Perera

Volume 42 Winter 2009

New Zealand Sri Lanka Foundation Inc. P.O. Box 109419, New Market, Auckland 1149, New Zealand Email: nzslf@nzslfoundation.org Web: www.nzslfoundation.org

Volume 54 Fall 2013

VOLUME 54 FALL 2013 NEW ZEALAND SRI LANKA FOUNDATION

There are many people to whom

the NZSLF Committee is grateful

for helping make the Sri Lankan

Food Fair a great success. Among

the special people who drew the

door raffles was Roshan Maha-

nama (picture on the left in black

shirt), a former Sri Lankan World

Class Cricketer and currently an

ICC match referee who happened

to be at the Food Fair that day. We

were honoured to have him there.

Sri Lankan Food Fair

Sri Lankan Food Fair is an annual event that the New Zea-

land Sri Lanka Foundation has organised over the years to

give an opportunity to share Sri Lankan flavour, culture and

crafts and friendship with the wider community of Auck-

land.

(1). Jithman Ramachandra, Kusum & Dharmasena Maddugoda, Ranjith Randeniya with Melissa Lee (National List MP for

Mt Albert and Parliamentary Private Secretary for Ethnic Affairs) (2). Sachini Dharmabandu performing a Peacock Dance

(3) Kusum & Dharmasena Maddugoda, Renuka Anthony and David Shearer (Hon, Leader of the Opposition and the Labour

MP for Mount Albert)

It was nice to taste a variety of Sri Lankan foods ranging

from hoppers, string hoppers, koththu, biriyani, range of

snacks and exortic icecreams, and be entertained by our

lovely talented dancers.

Not only the children who got their faces painted but the

adults too had a go at this fun activity during the Food Fair.

What a great way to advertise a business!!

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VOLUME 54 FALL 2013 NEW ZEALAND SRI LANKA FOUNDATION

Hasini is a Member of

the Special Olympics

Howick Pakuranga Ten

Pin Bowling Team.

She has also received

the Top Female Trophy

in 2011 another trophy

for 1st place in 2012

and many certificates.

A courageous young

lady who has won the

hearts of many.

65th Independence Day of Sri Lanka: Celebrations around the globe

While Independence Day celebrations were carried out by

the Lankan President, Mahinda Rajapakse in Trincomalee,

Sri Lanka on February 4, 2013, various parts of the world,

commemorated the 65th

anniversary of this memorable day

during that week.

In Australia and New Zealand the celebrations com-

menced with the flag hosting ceremony by the Sri Lankan

High Commissioner, Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe in the

presence the staff and a large gathering of Sri Lankan ex-

patriates and well-wishers. Addressing the gathering, the

High Commissioner had emphasized “the realization of

sustainable peace supplemented by comprehensive eco-

nomic and social development programs benefiting the

people in all parts of Sri Lanka.” He appealed to the gath-

erings to support Mother Lanka in achieving His Excellency

Mahinda Rajapaksa, the President’s vision of making Sri

Lanka the “Wonder of Asia

Sri Lankan High Commissioner (Australia / New Zea-

land..) Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe hoisting the Sri

Lankan flag.

(sources:http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/760223;

http://www.asiantribune.com/node/61506)

Hasini: Double Gold Medallist at Special Olympics 2012

Hasini Mabotuwana, also known as Hasini De Silva was

awarded two Gold Medals at the Special Olympics Trans-

Tasman Tournament in Cairns in October 2012: one for

individual female 10-pin bowling and the other for her

team. She was the torch bearer at the event Our heartiest

Congratulations and our best wishes to Hasini

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kZH9RZCcsQ

Hasini is carrying the torch at the Special Olympics

Hasini is a multi-talented young lady who joined StarJam

in 2006 and has performed on many occasions.

Watching her perform, one can say that she loves dancing

like late Michael Jackson and also her Sri Lankan dance

moves are so natural and equally impressive!

http://www.starjam.org/about-us/jammers/hasini-de-silva-

24-jammer-auckland/

Dance class celebrates First Anniversary

New Zealand Sri Lanka Foundation’s Dance classes cele-

brated their first anniversary on 1st March, 2013

at St Paul’s Methodist Church Hall,

12, St Vincent Avenue, Remuera.

Class for 5 – 9 year olds – 5.45pm to 6.30pm.

Class for 10--19 year olds – 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

.

For further information please contact:

Shalini- 0211341625/09-5299316 or

Sydney- 02102445166 / 09-5202304

VOLUME 54 FALL 2013 NEW ZEALAND SRI LANKA FOUNDATION

Business Opportunities in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is opening up to do business with the rest of the

world in several new sectors. The Food Propack 2013 will

provide an opportunity for suppliers to showcase their

products in colombo from 23-25 August..

(http://www.profoodpropack.com/ ).

Another area of interest is cosmetic products based on

natural ingredients of Sri Lankan origin. For the second

consecutive year 'Nature’s Secrets’ has received the

prestigious award at the National Green Awards Cere-

mony 2012 conducted by the Central Environmental

Authority. (http://www.naturessecrets.lk)

Ayurvedic treatments coupled with tourism “Sri

Lanka is benefiting from the true values of Ayurvedic and

indigenous medicine by introducing it to the hospitality

industry,” said Mr. Ranjith Jayasooriya , Ambassador of

Sri Lanka in Sweden in his welcome remarks of the Tea

and Ayurvedha evening organized by Sri Lanka Embassy

in Stockholm,. (http://www.asiantribune.com/news).

Free Dental Camp in Colombo

Free dental services such as filling, extraction and scaling

were provided at the Wellawatte MediClinic by the final year

Dental Student, Prathayini Puvanakumar (Uni of Adelaide)

under the supervision of Dr Chandrika who is in charge of

the Dental Secion at the MediClinc.

This service was provided in collaboration with the Lions

Club of Wellawatte where Mr Puvanakumar had been a

Past President and a Charter Member.

Correspondence: NZSLF, P O Box 109419, New Market, Auckland 1149, New Zealand, www.nzslfoundation.org

VOLUME 54 FALL 2013 NEW ZEALAND SRI LANKA FOUNDATION

This newsletter is published quarterly.

We welcome contributions to this newsletter and apologize for

not being able to publish all contributions due to the limitation

of the available space. We reserve the right to edit submitted

material. Being a not-for-profit-organization, we do not make

any payments for articles. Please send your contributions to

the Winter Issue by May 2013 to the correspondence address

below. Attn: Editorial Committee or by email to:

nzslf@nzslfoundation.com

Views expressed in articles are those of the contributing authors and may not necessarily reflect the views of the NZSLF

Correspondence: NZSLF, P O Box 109419, New Market, Auckland 1149, New Zealand, www.nzslfoundation.org