The revival of the Umbrella Association in Sydney is truly inspiring. – By Dr Harold Gunatillake
Considering the recent upgrades and the new committee appointments for the upcoming year, as highlighted in the Association Bulletin, it is appropriate for the manifestos of other contesting candidates to be published through the Association committee.
Back in the early seventies, only a handful of Sri Lankans called Sydney home, but over time, even as many moved to Melbourne, our community in Sydney stayed connected. I remember the lively cricket match in 1973 at the W. H. Wills Company grounds in Randwick — a joyful day filled with excitement and camaraderie, not just for the players but also for their families, who often felt a little homesick during those early years. After that game, Dr Ticko Perera kindly suggested we create our own association — a heartfelt idea that everyone warmly embraced. A committee was formed, and although Dr Ratnavel couldn’t be there in person, he was elected president. The association officially became the ‘Sri Lanka Association of NSW Inc.’, and as more Sri Lankans settled in Sydney, our community grew to over 200 members. We shared excellent Sunday lunches, picnics, and outdoor cricket matches – all moments full of laughter, unity, and the delicious taste of spicy rice and curry, along with outings that helped us bond even closer.
About two years later, inspired by our love for ballroom dancing, members decided to host a dance. This lovely tradition moved to elegant venues in five-star hotels and gained a prestigious reputation. Called the ‘Winter Ball’ because they mostly took place in winter, these events featured many stylish tuxedos and glamorous dresses, becoming so popular that they often happened twice a year.
Over time, these gatherings maintained high standards, even as some activities changed or slowed down. Sadly, recent years have seen a decline, and the last dance was quite disappointing with fewer attendees, a band playing unfamiliar songs, and a frustrating raffle, according to the stories. I’ve heard it was pretty disheartening for everyone involved.
Looking ahead, the Annual General Meeting is scheduled for October 26, 2025, as mentioned in the flyer. We have two excellent candidates for the president’s position: one is a seasoned lawyer and former president, bringing extensive experience; the other is a passionate organiser with top-notch audio-visual equipment, who loves planning functions, seminars, stage shows, and dances, and always gets personally involved in all Sri Lankan events.
He is the Chairman of Event360 (Pty) Ltd., Australia (Leading Event Production Company managing corporate events in Australia for clients in Australia and promoting and managing events in Australia for offshore corporate clients as a destination.
The latter also organises gatherings for Senior Citizens, like their get-togethers, which are truly meaningful and enjoyable.
The existing committee possesses the capability to disseminate its manifesto via a bulletin, thereby informing members on how to participate. In the interest of fairness, justice, and equal opportunity, Saliya, as the other candidate vying for the presidency, should be granted the same chance to publish his manifesto through the current committee.
The current committee is working on improving the nomination process for next year’s leadership, as detailed in the publication below. I genuinely believe there’s hope in restoring the association’s proud legacy, and it’s wonderful to feel that our past involvement still brings us comfort and hope for what’s ahead in the future.
Dr Harold Gunatillake OAM, now happily residing in Sri Lanka, has cherished his long-standing involvement with the community. As a life member who has served twice as president and spent over 10 years editing the lively monthly newsletter—made special by the support of generous advertisers—he treasures those wonderful days. They truly were the golden times, filled with happiness and joy.
