The Inaugural Ceremony of Sri Lankan Community Centre

The Inaugural Ceremony of Sri Lankan Community Centre - 19th September 2009

Pictures by Bandula Manage & Report by Indika Rodrigo

The Inaugural Ceremony of first registered Sri Lankan Community Centre was unveiled in London Borough of Hounslow on 19/09/2009. The event was the first of its kind in its own right to bring all those apart for long time under one banner as Sri Lankans. The event was participated by Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims in London and as far as from County Dhrham was an encouragement for the management committee.

The event had the blessings of H.E The President of Sri Lanka Hon Mahinda Rajapaksa, Hon Prime Minister of United Kingdom Gordan Brown, H.E. High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Justice Nihal Jayasinghe and Hon Deputy High Commissioner P.M Amza, The Mayor of London Boris Johnson, Mayor of London Borough of Hounslow Cllr Paul Lynch and overwhelming number of councillors took part in the event with the participation of officials from various government departments who came to witness this thoughtful and timely event which heals the hearts and minds of many Sri Lankans living here.

The first thoughts of many patriotic Sri Lankans who attend the event were to support this venture and to stick by its ethics for many more years to come and some already volunteered to move it forward from strength to strength. The Management committee welcomed these thoughtful and encouraging comments and is looking forward to move forward one step at a time in steady and positive manner. The Committee explained we are recognised by London Borough of Hounslow and we have registered status with the local government along with robust controls & procedures in place side by side with greater transparency.

The Chief Guests of the event was Mayor of London Borough of Hounslow and the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka. The Distinguish guests and Sri Lankans from various ethnic background enjoyed an evening with items rich in Sri Lankan culture and identity. All were entertained by cultural items by well known professionals in the filed, a comedian, singers and entertainers who kept the crowd entertained for hours. One of the highlights of the event was award of certificates from the High Commission for children who performed the cultural items which will be an asset for them at the time of entering to the Universities for Higher Studies to gain those extra points as extra curricular activities.

Guests tucked in to a Sri Lankan style authentic buffet with 4 types of hoppers made to order at the premises were served in Kulla. The string hoppers, plain hoppers, milk hoppers and egg hoppers with Ambultial, spiced up chicken curry, seenisambol, polsambol, dale, potato curry, kiribath and wade. After the main meal all were served with bananas and Kiri with Kitul Treacle - a traditional Sri Lankan dessert along with iced coffee to satisfy the thirst which was enjoyed by all.

From now on the Sri Lankan Community Centre is open for the Sri Lankans in every Saturdays from 2pm to 8pm. The hours will be extended to mach the need and demand. The Theme of this first day is “Ekwemu Api” and all are invited to participate for this memorable and enjoyable evening. The Ceylon Tea and Coffee Hour are from 3pm – 4.30pm with butter cake and it’s free of charge as usual with games such as carrom, chess are few to mention. For those who like to know news back home will be provide with a collection of Sri Lankan Sinhala, Tamil and English news papers to read. Any one with ideas for children games are welcome to come forward.

The Sri Lankan Community Centre Details are as follows:

Opening Time: Every Saturday from 2pm to 8pm

Sri Lankan Community Centre (SLCC), Community Resource Centre, Chamberlain Walk, Hanworth, TW13 6YG
Tel: 0203 011 2534 , Fax: 07006040009

Email: slcc@officeliveusers.com Web: http://www.srilankancommunitycentre.giving.officelive.com

Mayor of London Borough of Hounslow Councillor Paul Lynch (below)