Standing: Roshan Serasinghe, Prasanna Silva, Sanka Marcelline, Shamilal Wijeyeratne, Lalith Karunaratne
Seated: Priyanga Mendis, Samantha Kurera, Dino Silva, Lalith Perera, Ranjan Karunanayake, Romesh Fernando, Rohan Mendis.
US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung commented on the growing interest among Sri Lankan students in studying abroad: “The 10% increase in Sri Lankan students studying in the United States demonstrates the power of international education in building strong connections between our people. US universities offer Sri Lankan students access to world-class education, cutting-edge research, and lifelong networks, equipping them to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world. This growth reflects the strength of the US Sri Lanka partnership and our shared dedication to education and innovation.”
Major General G.A. Chandrasiri and Mrs. Chandrasiri
A.B. Bandusena and Amith Wijesooriya
Clifford and Upul Dharmadasa
Manel de Silva and her family
Pradeep Bogahawatte
Roshani Masakorala and Lakmali Ranasinghe
Roshani Masakorala and Kirky Masakorala
News release in the Smoky Mountain news paper in North Carolina. A new appointment for Roy Wijewickrama of Waynesville, North Carolina as Superior Court Judge. He was initially elected a District court Judge in North Carolina. Roy is the FIRST judge of Sri Lankan descent to achieve this very high position in the USA judiciary, to be appointed by the Governor of North Carolina, USA.
Godwin van Rooyen with 3 sisters Noeline Willenberg, Faye de Kauwe, brother in law Herschell de Kauwe, sister Ursula Aruma and his daughter Radhika. Godwin celebrated his 89th birthday at Arcare, Castlemaine, Australia on November 9th 2024. Godwin is an old boy of St Peter’s College, Sri Lanka. A very tasty lunch was provided by Arcare, of Rissoto and Quiche with steamed vegetables, followed by a cake and ice cream.
Godwin with his grandsons Oscar and Huxley
Alan Awar celebrated a “landmark” birthday recently, at the
popular Garden of Eden Restaurant in Glendora. His wife Serene and close friends, Rene and Iswari Camou, as well as Jayam and Gina Rutnam, Saku Jeyaraj, Donna and Bob Camou were in attendance. Rita, the versatile server, kept them in stitches with her jokes. A Russian belly dancer, Natalia performed with some exotic moves. Alan is the owner of Salon de Beaute in Monrovia, Ca. and is well known for his unique, hairstyling expertise.
For appointments call Alan at 626- 899-2411
(Excerpt from article by Easwaran Rutnam in Adelaide)
The Australia-Sri Lanka Association (ASLA) celebrated 50 years with multiple events held in Adelaide, attended by members of the South Australian government, opposition and the Sri Lankan community. Among the events held was a dazzling Golden Jubilee dinner dance at Marche Club, Paradise, Adelaide featuring the legendary Corrine Almeda, backed by the band ASHRA. South Australian MP Cressida O’Hanlon and Sri Lanka’s Honorary Consul in Adelaide, Dr. Charitha Perera also attended the event. Speaking at the event held at the South Australian Parliament, ASLA President Nishani Seneviratne said that ASLA has contributed to Australia through various spheres, including medicine, engineering, administration, culinary, etc.
Jetstar Asia launched its Colombo-Singapore direct route positioning itself as the only low-cost carrier connecting the two cities. Speaking to the media, Jetstar Asia CEO John Simeone expresses optimism about the new route’s potential to boost regional connectivity, attract travellers from diverse markets and contribute to Sri Lanka’s tourism growth. Hayleys Advantis Deputy Managing Director Shano Sabar expressed gratitude to Jetstar Asia and its leadership team for choosing Sri Lanka as a key destination in their regional expansion.
Started in 1988, Marians at present comprises Nalin Perera as the leader, his long standing partners Prasanna Rosa, on lead guitar and Ruwan Fernando, on rhythm guitar, with the others in the group being Chaminda Silva, on bass, Dileepa Mangala, on keyboards, Subash Punyasoma, on drums, Jayantha Kandabadage- Percussionist, Shehan Jayasooriya- Saxophonist and Shivantha Fernando on vocals.Marians enjoys popularity both here and abroad. Next year the band will travel around the world performing in Dubai, Japan, Germany, France Italy, USA Canada, fly to Italy and end 2025 in the United Kingdom.
Embassy of Vietnam in Sri Lanka hosted an interactive session attended by Vietnamese women living in Sri Lanka to mark Vietnam Women’s Day 2024. This program allowed the female Vietnamese community in Sri Lanka to explore ways to bring Vietnam closer to Sri Lanka through people-to-people exchange and other activities. Vietnam Women’s Day traces back to 1930, when the first Vietnamese Women’s Congress was held. The Congress sought to advance women’s rights, recognising their crucial role in Vietnam’s economic development and Independence.
It’s about monkey mobs, reindeer people, World Toilet Day & serious chats about the private sector, mental health, new hotels and more
Padma Vitanatchi, passed away peacefully at the age of 96 on November 8, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. She was born on December 1, 1927 in Galle, Sri Lanka. Loving wife of late Gamani Vitanatchi. Beloved mother of Hemantha, Movin, Renuka, ana Bimsara. Mother-in-Law of Anuri Abayaratna, Sisira Perera, and Theja Jayawardane. Grandmother of Dulshani, Kulunu, Amanda, Emily, Skylar, and Steffi. Great Grand mother of Emilia.
The body was donated to School of Medicine at UCLA
in honor of her wishes. Memorial Service was on
November 16, 2024 at the Dharma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara.
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Don Rajatha Piyatissa. Husband of Sherine De Run Piyatissa and father of Kalum Piyatissa, Danushka Piyatissa and Yasonil Piyatissa and father-in-law of Shiraj De Silva and grandfather of Yenali De Silva and Avenika De Silva and brother of Luckshmi Wickremasinghe, passed away 19th of November 19th, 2024. Funeral and cremation were on November 21st.
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Mahendran Manuel – (USA) (formerly of UNILEVER, Sri Lanka) passed away in Portland, Oregon on October 24th 2024. Son of late Edward and Jocelyn Manuel, husband of Asumpta (USA), father of Dilani (USA) and Heshan (USA), father-in-law of Ron and Archana, grandfather of Anya, Aden, Davin and Jaden, brother of Pushpam (USA), Wije (France), Devo (Australia) and Marie (Australia), brother-in-law of Rajan, Rabin,Sothi and Innocent. Funeral service was held on November 1st at Finley-Sunset Hill Memorial Park, Portland, Oregon USA.
Suan-la Tang
(Hot and sour soup)
Ingredients
Method
Drain the cloud ears and golden needles or the mushrooms, which should be nicely plump.
Cut into thin shreds and set aside with the bean curd.
Finely slice the pork into match stick size pieces and dust with cornstarch. Blend the remaining cornstarch with water and reserve. Heat the oil in a Chinese claypot or wok over a gentle heat and cook the onion till soft. Turn up the heat slightly and fry the pork slices until they change color.
Pour in the stock, cloud ears, needles or mushrooms, cook for 10 to 15 minutes, then thicken with the cornstarch paste. Add bean curd, vinegar, soy sauce and black pepper and salt to taste. Lower the heat and drizzle in the egg from a balloon whisk or your finger tips so that it forms threads of mixture.Add sesame oil just before serving. Garnish with the scallions if desired.
Serves 6.