Monthly Archives: August 2021
CANCELLED – Annual Summer Picnic on August 22
16 August 2021
Dear Members and Friends,
After much deliberation, we regret to inform you that this year’s Summer Picnic organised by the Sri Lankan Association of Geneva (SLAG) will not be held as planned. This decision was made considering the surge of COVID-19 cases in Switzerland. Over 2,000 new cases have been reported daily in the past few days with the increase largely due to the fast-spreading Delta variant (B 1 617.2). The rapid spread of this highly infectious variant has cast a cloud over the resumption of normal life in the country. In addition, the current COVID-19 situation in Sri Lanka is critical with over 160 deaths reported yesterday. Given these factors, the Executive Committee of SLAG unanimously decided to cancel the event. Our sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused.
On a related note, SLAG has been working to support the COVID response in Sri Lanka. With support from our members, well-wishers and the Sri Lanka Permanent Mission in Geneva, we have dispatched 500 Pulse Oximeters, valued at over CHF5,000 to Sri Lanka. These have been distributed to all parts of the country including to the Intermediate Care Centers (ICCs) that have been set-up there. We have closely monitored the distribution of these instruments to hospitals and ICCs, and are in possession of the distribution lists. I take this opportunity to thank you all for your generous support. We will get back to you should we decide to provide further assistance to the COVID response in Sri Lanka.
We request you and your families to take good care during these uncertain times – vaccinate, mask and maintain physical distance.
Wishing you a good week ahead.
Stay well !!! Stay safe !!!
Best wishes,
Wajira Ranasinghe
President
Sri Lanka Association in Geneva (SLAG),
On behalf of the SLAG Executive Committee
website: www.slageneva.org
Annual Summer Picnic on August 22, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dear Members and Friends,
It is that time of year when the Sri Lankan Association in Geneva (SLAG) organizes its annual summer picnic. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were unable to organize a SLAG get-together in 2020. However, this year, given that most of us are vaccinated and are longing for face-to-face interaction with old friends, SLAG is happy to announce that the annual summer picnic will be held on Sunday, August 22, 2021.
At this year’s picnic, there will be something for the whole family. There will be some socially distanced games for children, adults as well as a cricket match as per tradition, with prizes and surprises for everyone.
As in the past, this year’s summer picnic will be a “potluck” provided by our generous members. We reach out to you to contribute generously to the potluck. We propose items such as milk rice, lunu miris (spicy accompaniment), kadala (boiled chickpeas), salads, meat (except pork) and veggies for the BBQ (two BBQ grills are available), manioc (cassava), pol sambol (coconut relish), roti (flat bread), wadai (savoury fried snack), noodles, rice, cutlets, other short eats, bread, desserts, fruits etc. To avoid duplication, preferably inform us what you intend to bring. If you are unable to bring a dish towards the potluck, assistance in any other form to meet event expenditure will be most welcome. The most important thing for us is your participation!
Details of the summer picnic are given below:
Date and time: Sunday, August 22, 2021, from 10 am to 4 pm
Entrance will be free-of-charge.
Venue: Parc du Château-Pictet, Chemin Auguste-Vilbert 14, 1218 Le Grand-Saconnex. The park
can also be accessed from Route de Ferney and is opposite “le Pommier” bus stop. A grand open-air
tent of around 2500 sq. meters has been erected in the park for our exclusive use, so the event can go
ahead in any weather (see photos attached). Parking is available in the Grand Saconnex Place or
Pommier area. https://www.grand-saconnex.ch/fr/vivre-au-Grand-Saconnex/environnementnature/
espaces-verts/parc-du-chateau-pictet-0-249
Meal: Potluck
Beverages: Soft drinks, water, tea and coffee will be provided free-of-charge. Please bring your alcoholic beverages, as they will not be sold at the event.
Entertainment: There will be live entertainment.
Cutlery will be provided free-of-charge. For safety reasons, consider bringing your own cups, plates etc. For those who intend to use the BBQ grill, preferably bring your own BBQ tongs.
In light of COVID-19, we will be adhering to guidelines provided by the Swiss authorities to
ensure that this event is safe for everyone. You are encouraged to bring your face masks for the
safety of yourself and others. Hand sanitizers and gloves will be available at the event. Please
make sure to keep a 2-metre distance from other guests as much as you can.
Should you require further information you may wish to contact any of the following committee members:
Mr. Wajira Ranasinghe 079-481 09 00
Mr. Sudath Lokupilawattage 078-217 94 35
Ms. Nayana Wickremasinghe 079-238 88 83
Mr. Roshan Rajaratne 076-562 97 12
Ms. Chamari Tennekoon 079-772 77 63
Mr. Chandana Perera 079-484 59 64
Ms. Udyanee Unantenna 078-656 41 67
Mr. Manjula Herath 079-278 41 06
Confirmation of your participation would be much appreciated, but not obligatory. We look forward to seeing you at the summer picnic.
Yours sincerely,
Nayana Wickremasinghe
Secretary – Sri Lanka Association in Geneva (SLAG)
On behalf of the SLAG Executive Committee
website: www.slageneva.org