SLWA in UK celebrates 65th anniversary
LONDON -- The Sri Lanka Women’s Association, (SLWA) in the UK celebrated its 65th anniversary with a traditional tea party at the House of Lords, hosted by Lord Naseby, a longstanding friend of the Association, who had also hosted the Association’s 60th anniversary.
President of the SLWA, Ms. Calista Jayasinghe, welcomed the guests and invited Lord Naseby to give the welcome address. In his speech, Lord Naseby spoke warmly about the time spent in Sri Lanka, becoming a supporter of the country both in good times and its difficult periods as well as revealing that Sri Lanka was the origin of a long held addiction to roasted cashew nuts.
A traditional celebratory lamp was lit as well as a formal cutting of a celebration cake before the Guest of Honour, Dr Nalini Ekanayake gave a speech tracing the history of the SLWA.
As well as providing non-members and visitors with some fascinating background to the association, she also spoke eloquently of the patronage bestowed over the years by former Prime Ministers, High Commissioners in the UK and other dignitaries. To mark the occasion, Dr Ekanayake also highlighted some notable milestones of the Association. The SLWA was founded in 1949 as a nonpolitical, multi-religious, multi- cultural organisation, primarily to help the first generation of women who came to the UK to meet in a spirit of goodwill and fellowship.
She highlighted that the SLWA does not operate alone, but is also affiliated to the Women’s Council in the UK, the Commonwealth Countries League, the International Alliance of Women and the Sri Lanka Women’s Conference. In 1996, the SLWA Education Scheme was registered as a Charity in the UK. In 2013, 23 secondary school children were given educational grants, 18 are continuing in 2014.
Since 2010, SLWA has undertaken three English teaching projects in Sri Lanka. Regular donations are given to various charities in the UK and Sri Lanka and the Association also responds to appeals for funds to help those affected by natural disasters. The SLWA hopes its rich history and current philanthropy will encourage new members to continue its legacy.