Lankan Flood Relief organised by the Australia South Asia Society in Melbourne. – By Noel Nadesan

Lankan Flood Relief organised by the Australia South Asia Society in Melbourne. – By Noel Nadesan

On 3 May 2026, a cheque for $5,000 was handed to Sri Lankan Consul Mrs Pradeepa Saram by ASAS for flood relief efforts. This donation, combined with the previous $8,000 contributed for the same cause, totals $13,000 in community donations for Sri Lankan flood relief. The funds were collected during an all-day event organised by the Australia South Asia Society, with Vice President Saba Sundar and former consul Bandu Dissanayake coordinating the entire event.

The Australia South Asia Society hosted a multicultural festival on Sunday evening (3 May 2026) at Oakleigh Hall, featuring Indian, Sri Lankan, Nepalese, and other communities. The event included a literary, arts, and cultural program, a book display, and an engaging panel discussion on the current issues and their impact on diverse communities. The atmosphere was lively, with Indian and Sri Lankan dances entertaining attendees, and people continued to join from distant suburbs.

Guests Meng Heang Tak MP (Clarinda), Gary Mass MP (Narre Warren), and Monash Mayor Stuart James spoke at the event, emphasising Victoria’s strong multicultural spirit and the important role of the ASAS in enhancing it.

Before that, ASAS President Dr Noel Nadesan welcomed the guests and everyone present. He expressed his appreciation for the effort that brought the multicultural evening to life and acknowledged the dance participants and painters who showcased their work on that Sunday.

The evening’s highlight was the panel discussion, moderated by MC Dr Chris Mallika Bhadra, featuring Dr Pradeep Taneja from the University of Melbourne, social activist Tanvi Mor, and Dr Raju Adhakari from CSIRO and the Nepalese community. They discussed Multicultural Communities and Social Cohesion in today’s world, emphasising empathy, resilience, and shared humanity as key to building stronger, more inclusive communities.

Two Sri Lankan painters exhibited their artwork alongside Dharshini Sari’s demonstration.

Prof. Sanjiva Wijesinha’s lecture, derived from his book Sri Lanka, Serendib and the Silk Road of the Sea, was engaging and informative. It traced Sri Lanka’s historical significance as a key hub in the Indian Ocean trade and highlighted major maritime routes. His sources included Portuguese, Roman, and Egyptian texts, among others. The presentation unveiled the often-overlooked but crucial fact that ancient Sri Lankans were skilled shipbuilders and navigators.