The Sri Lanka Women’s Association in the UK celebrated its 60th Anniversary with a lovely tea party at the House of Lords on the 10th of June 2009 by kind courtesy of Lord Naseby.
There were 100 guests in attendance, among them were the High Commissioner, Mr Nihal Jayasinghe, Mrs Jayasinghe who is the Patron of the Association, representatives of the Commonwealth Countries League, International Alliance of Women and Women’s Council to name a few.
The President, Mrs Chitra Jayasooriya welcomed the guests and outlined the achievements of the Association, which was founded by Mrs Laurel Casinader and Lady Evelyn De Soyza in 1949. Mrs Jayasooriya said the education of girls in Sri Lanka was a high priority right from the beginning and in 1976 an Education Scheme was established to offer deserving girls and women living in Sri Lanka, help and support which continues to this day. The Association also responds to appeals from charities and organisations worldwide. She noted that the committee consists of Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim and Burghers working together in harmony.
The celebration cake was made by Mrs Luckshanti Goonewardena, a longstanding member of the Association. A poem composed for the Association by Dr Rasieka Jayatunga, a member, was read out by her and was much appreciated. The President of Honour, Ms Frances Don, who was unable to be there, sent her message which was read out by Dr Seetha Siriwardena. At the end of a very pleasant afternoon, each guest was given a Ceylon Ceramics porcelain gift as a token of appreciation from the Association.