TORONTO Diary By Bandula Jayasekara
SLUNA
Toronto boasts of many Associations and Unions and groups of Sri Lankans. Sri Lanka United National Association better known as SLUNA celebrated its 25th anniversary this year with Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona and Mrs. Suganthi Kadirgamar widow of late Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar who was assassinated by the LTTE as Chief Guest and guest of honour. TULF leader Veerasingham Anandasangaree was an honoured guest at the event. The event was held at the Scarborough civic centre. Members of SLUNA had done yeomen service to Sri Lanka by standing up to the terrorists LTTE and its sympathizers. These great people have sacrificed their money, energy and time for 25 long years to expose the activities of the LTTE to Canadians and the world. They have fought on behalf of all right thinking and democratic Sri Lankans living in Canada. They have fought against terror and helped innocent Sri Lankan Tamils who were continuously harassed by the LTTE and its sympathizers. SLUNA has fought against the terror of the LTTE for 25 long years much more than anyone else in Canada. The Consulate in Toronto was opened in 2001.
I am deeply touched by the patriotism of these Sri Lankans and their deep love for their Motherland. Their members are from all walks of life from professionals to youth to people living in retirement. I know many SLUNA members do not like their names mentioned because they do their bit for the country without seeking any publicity or fame. However, I need to salute few of their senior members such as Dr Asoka Weerasinghe, Daya Hettiarachchi, Mahinda Gunasekara and Ira de Silva.. The story of SLUNA must be kept for another day because it is a long and a great story.
Canada/Sri Lanka Association
Another association here which celebrated its 40th anniversary last month is Canada Sri Lanka Association currently headed by Aloma Yapa. The oldest Sri Lankan association in Canada has done yeomen service in bringing people and cultures together. Their Avrudu celebrations attract many Sri Lankans and the Association continues to build bridges of friendship for Sri Lanka in Toronto . Aloma has a journalist connection too and a cricketing connection. She is married to Gamini Yapa, brother of Vijitha Yapa founder Editor of The Sunday Times and The Sunday Island and now of Vijitha Yapa bookshop fame. Aloma says she is the first Sri Lankan woman to have played cricket and faced the fiery leather ball.
Sri Lanka Day Committee
Then we have the Sri Lanka Day Committee which organizes the Annual Sri Lanka day event to raise money to build a Community Centre for Sri Lankans. All other associations are helping this committee to build the community centre. It is a long, long way to go to have sufficient funds to realize that dream of all the Sri Lankans here. Led by Indica Jainudeen known as one of the Iron ladies of Toronto the Committee also organize other events to raise funds and plays an active role in taking Sri Lanka to Canada . They have managed to showcase Sri Lanka at many South Asian and other festivals. This year, along with the Sri Lankan Consulate, they took Sri Lanka to the heart of Toronto, the Harbourfront Centre which was a great success.
Democratic Tamil Cultural Association
Democratic Tamil Cultural Association headed by Sam Rajendran is another gritty gathering of Sri Lankans with Great Spirit. This association for the first time in Toronto organized a joint Sinhala /Tamil New year celebration and showed Canada the unity and the spirit of democratic Sri Lankans. Many hailed their courage to stand up against terror. One member who belongs to this Association sends e-mails and sign off saying “Terrorism never Sri Lanka forever” As a fellow Sri Lankan, I salute these brothers and sisters of Lanka. Their homeland is Sri Lanka.
Malay Association
Malay Association headed by Ackiel Ousmand is another dynamic association. They are very patriotic Sri Lankans and are very popular. The Association is already making plans to put up a cultural show in the coming year. If anyone asks me where I had the best meal so far in Toronto, I will not hesitate to say at Ackiels and his wife Roshans place when the Malay Association hosted me for a welcome dinner. Their hospitality was truly heartwarming.
Sinhala Association
Sinhala Association led by the dynamic Wanni Dhanawardane is a very active association. They don’t do politics like the cowardly Tigers who tries to terrorize innocent Sri Lankan Tamils. The Sinhala Association promotes peace and culture. Their Avrudu celebrations are held each year following the traditions. They remind the Lankans living here the value of our culture and the children who grow in Canada the meaning of our traditions. Would you expect to see Lissana Gaha, Kamba Endima, Avrudu Kumari and all the traditional games in Toronto and the best of our traditional food? You got them all at the Avrudu in Toronto. One must come to Scarborough Civic Centre during Summer to see the Sathsara Ravaya organised by the Association. It is where people meet and greet, sing and eat. It is truly a crowd puller.
Toronto got many other associations such as the Muslim Association, Sri Jayewardenepura Graduates Association, Ambalangoda Association, JVP etc. Will tell you more about them later.
Toronto Diary 