Dear Members,

We are now at the end of another year and all the funds raised by SLAG during this year are awaiting recipients.

We encourage you to make applications for worthy charities through the SLAG charity form found on the SLAG website. More information can be obtained at: www.slageneva.org/charities/ while the charity form can be downloaded from the page: www.slageneva.org. Those who are unable to access Internet are welcome to call Chandika at 022 340 3700.

SUMMER PICNIC

The next upcoming event for SLAG is the Summer Picnic!! which was meant to be held earlier than usual, in late June. This however was not realised as we could not secure a suitable location. But, no harm done….it will now be held in late August, which is the usual time the Summer Picnic has always been held. This being said, there will be one big difference. We will be holding traditional Sinhala and Tamil New Year games at the Summer Picnic to make up for not having held New Year celebrations in April. These will consist of games for adults and kids, to name some: coconut scraping, tug-o-war, Kotta pora, lime & spoon race, sack race etc. So, please come prepared to join in the games and fun!! There will of course be a BBQ as well which, as we all know, is one of the main highlights of our Picnic. Admission is free to all current Members and a fee of CHF 10 will be charged for guests. So please do pay the membership fee, if you have not done so yet, to ensure free entrance to the Picnic.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Dear Friends,

With our first newsletter my committee and I would like to wish all of you a Happy New Year. This year we will be celebrating it in Geneva a little later than usual, but I expect it to be a great success with help from all of you.
As most of you know I have been in the Sri Lankan association since its inception, participating in events and sharing with all of you the good and the bad times. After all these years I am privileged to take up the position of Presidency in a very significant year for the association. This is our 20th year as an association, which we believe must be some sort of record. We would like to acknowledge this and to celebrate it this year. Despite my familiarity with the association, I realize the huge task ahead of me and I look for your support and assistance to make this year a success.

YEAR-END PARTY

Another year is coming to an end and once again the Sri Lankan Association will host its annual year-end party.

A glittering atmosphere, delicious food, Music and dance all through the night. Santa will be dropping in to see the kids and for the adults we promise a fun filled night.

Date – 4th December, 2004 (Saturday)

SUMMER PICNIC 2004

The sun is shining, the air is hot and time for the Sri Lankan Association to organize its annual picnic. We promise a scrumptious BBQ lunch and a whole lot of fun and games for all our members and their guests. Free entrance for SLAG members and their families. An entrance fee of SFr 10 will be charged for guests.

SINHALA AND TAMIL NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS

The Sri Lankan Association in Geneva welcomed the Sinhala and Tamil New year with music, dance, culture and tradition in true Sri Lankan style. The event was held on April 17th at the Salle de Faubourg with the participation of a record number of Sri Lankan’s from all parts of Switzerland. The ceremony opened with the lighting of the oil lamp by distinguished guests and senior members of the association. The event was marked with a variety of customary games for children and adults and a beautiful performance of traditional Sinhala and Tamil dances by talented Sri Lankan children. Guests were treated to a host of delightful Sri Lankan specialities including all the delicious Avrudu sweetmeats. The celebrations went on through the night with entertainment provided by Udaya and Rozaine.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING NEWS

The 19th AGM of the SLAG was held on 29th February, at the Quaker Hall in Petite Saconnex in the presence of a large number of members. A new Executive Committee was elected.

ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY – 29 FEBRUARY 2004

The Nineteenth Annual General Assembly (AGA) of the Association that will be held on Sunday 29th February 2004 at the Quaker International Hall, 13 Avenue de Mervelet, Petit-Saconnex, commencing at 3 pm.

The AGA will review the 2003 Annual Report and the Audited Statement of Accounts, as well as elect a new Executive Committee. A revised draft constitution will also be presented for discussion and adoption. If anyone is interested in serving on the new Executive Committee, but is unable to be present at the AGA, please indicate your interest to the President/Secretary before the commencement of the meeting. If anyone requires additional copies of the 2004 AGA documents, please contact the Secretary/Treasurer.

YEAR END PARTY – 6 DECEMBER 2003

This year’s party will once again take place at the Salle Communale in Bellevue.

Starting from 6:30 pm onwards (Dinner at 8), we look forward to seeing you there for an evening of dancing (DJ Jacky from Zurich), entertainment, food and fun for the entire family.

This will be also the occasion for us to wish our beloved Ambassador in Geneva, H.E. Prasad Kariyawasam, a fond farewell as he concludes his assignment at the end of the year.

FETE DE LA MUSIQUE 2003 – REPORT

We are pleased to announce that the SLAG held its most successful stand at the 2003 Fete de la Musique. We served nearly 2700 meals/plates this year (2000 plates in 2002; 1600 in 2001). Many thanks for the volunteers who helped at the stand and for the caterers for having provided delicious food.

This year’s profits will be focussed towards flood relief assistance in Sri Lanka.