History
What Followed from the Inception
As people are aware and recognize, there are cultures within cultures in our own community. This is not uncommon in any civilization, in any country.
Migration is a progression which had illustrate d how the formation of civilizations had occurred, how it had contributed to change political systems, and changing the demographics of nations. We have seen this happening with our own eyes and hope it will always remain a positive movement.
We all have experience d the stresses of coping with the migration process itself. The basis for the formation of the Sri Lankan Cultural Society was to provide an ‘umbrella’ to gather under, to fulfil, to a small extent, these cultural and social needs of the new migrants.
Most of us came to Australia from our Motherland, from an already established, multi- ethnic Multicultural society to another. And it was felt important that we, while remaining a cohesive, culturally specific group as Sri Lankans, must encourage our present and future generations to merge with the Australian Multiculture.
The Mission State m e n t of the Sri Lankan Cultural Society has clearly outlined we should aim to: “Promote the appreciation and acceptance of Sri Lankan culture in Australia and help develop a truly Multicultural Australian Society”.
The main aim of establishing the SLCSWA was to harvest the support of all ethnic and religious groups of Sri Lanka and non- Sri Lankan Australians in order to celebrate our common humanity.
We notice that our younger generations now grow up in what is called the Australian Multiculture which is a blend of several cultures.
Important Reforms:
Dinu Ekanayake JP
(President 2009-11,
2013-14, 2018-19)
It is especially acknowledged here that some very important reforms were accomplished during multi- presidential terms of Mr Anuruddha Liyanage (2003 -2008) and Mr Dinu Ekanayake (2009 -2019). These reforms have assisted immensely to uplift the image of the Society.
During these eras, their input has helped to attract new members, especially with the new arrivals therefore increasing the members hip of the SLCSWA. Their efforts have helped to draw major sponsors which, in turn has assisted to maintain the ongoing community work to prove its significance as an Umbrella Organization within our wider society.