Diaspora (Commonwealth Union) _ The British Sri Lankan Association (BriSLA) recently hosted its annual awards ceremony at the Caledonian Club in London, commemorating the achievements, hard work, and professionalism of individuals and organizations that embody BriSLA’s mission. Established eight years ago by Chair Dr. Zimar Sivardeen, the BriSLA Awards aim to recognize those who bring inclusivity and a community-led spirit to their daily lives. This year’s focus was on ‘Leaders of the Future,’ aiming to inspire and provide vision to individuals who have reached the pinnacle of their careers and contributions to their industries, with hopes that they will mentor and create forums for emerging business leaders.
2023 is a significant year for Sri Lanka and the British Sri Lankan community as the nation celebrates its independence while participating in the broader Commonwealth. As a not-for-profit organization, BriSLA brings together the diverse Sri Lankan community across the UK, fostering cooperation between the two countries in economic, educational, health, and environmental realms. The organization acknowledges the rich history of both nations and aims to create a cohesive, fair, and prosperous society.
The Awards evening featured Guests of Honour, including The Rt. Hon. The Lord Naseby PC and the Venerable Seelawimala, Nirj Deva-Aditya DL, Senior Advisor to the Honourable President, sharing insights on their experiences and emphasizing the importance of unity and collaboration between the British and Sri Lankan communities. Ben Mellor, Director of India and the Indian Ocean Directorate at the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, highlighted the harmony and integration of both communities.
The ceremony was marked by a dance performance by the London-based Kandyan Dancers Company, adding a touch of cultural celebration. Newly introduced awards for 2023 included Local Champion of the Year, awarded to Thushara Madurasinghe, and Entrepreneur of the Year, won by Dr. Selva Pankaj. Other notable recipients included Rajesh Pillai KC for Outstanding Contribution to the Legal Profession, Professor Maheshi Ramasamy for Outstanding Contribution to the Health Profession, Lukman Harees for Outstanding Contribution to Literature, Professor Kalanithy Vairavamoorthy for Outstanding Contribution to Global Sustainability, and Dr. Reena Ravikumar for Excellence in Medicine.
Reflecting on the evening, Dr. Zimar Sivardeen expressed delight at the high standard of nominations and the outstanding contributions made by individuals to their local communities across the UK. He hopes that the forum created by BriSLA will serve as inspiration for emerging leaders in their respective fields.
