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.

For the reported 250,000 visitors at the Fête, our stand at the Parc des Bastions showcased Sri Lanka. Not only were they given an opportunity to sample our cuisine, but also to discover our beautiful country. Numerous informational exchanges took place at our stand.

Your committee undertakes the organization of the stand as it is an occasion for all of us to meet, interact, purchase items for charity, etc. Hopefully we shall see more of you at next year’s event.

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FORTHCOMING EVENTS

ANNUAL PICNIC- SUNDAY 31 AUGUST 2003

We look forward to seeing you at the Parc de Jonc (Chemin de Jonc) in Grand Saconnex from 10:30 AM onwards. BBQ Chicken and other goodies will be available but we request members to bring their own drinks. For further details, please contact Chandika (022-340 3700) or Chinta (078-6061948).

YEAR END PARTY – 6 DECEMBER 2003 – SALLE COMMUNALE – BELLEVUE

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MORE MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS:

MLESNA Teas: SLAG members are entitled to a 5% discount on purchases made at all MLESNA kiosks (excluding the airport location) upon presentation of their membership card at the time of purchase. To view the MLESNA collection of teas please visit their web site www.mlesnateas.com

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WEB SPONSORS

SLAG is happy to announce that Iinflight – one of Geneva’s oldest travel agents, has agreed to be a sponsor of the SLAG website. Inflight has been closely associated with SLAG over the years and has been a main donor of air tickets to several destinations during annual SLAG events. Please visit www.inflight-geneve.com for latest Inflight information.

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Dr. WARNASENA RASAPUTRAM – An Appreciation

SLAG announces with deep regret, the passing away of Dr Warnasena Rasaputram, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN offices in Geneva and a keen supporter of the SLAG.

Warnasena Rasaputram joined the Central Bank of Sri Lanka in 1951, at the age of 24, having graduated with honours from the University of Ceylon with a degree in Economics, specializing in Statistics. He did his post-graduate studies in the USA at the University of Wisconsin, where he obtained a Master’s Degree in Statistics and a doctorate in Economics.

His doctoral thesis “Influence of Foreign Trade on the Level and Growth of National Income of Ceylon” was published by the Central Bank in 1964. He returned to the Bank on completion of his studies and was appointed Director of Economic Research in 1968.

He also served as a United Nations expert in Iraq and in several countries in Asia and the Caribbean. Dr Rasaputram was appointed Assistant to the Governor in 1974 and Deputy Governor in 1975. In 1976, he was appointed by the Government of Sri Lanka as Alternative Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund. In February 1979, he was appointed to the high office of the Governor of the Central Bank. He guided the operations of the Bank during a time of great change as Sri Lanka moved from a closed economy to an open market orientation. Dr Rasaputram has been a scholar, recognized both nationally and internationally, with many publications to his credit.

He retired from the post of Governor of the Central Bank in November 198 and was appointed as Ambassador of the Republic of Sri Lanka to France. He next served as Permanent Representative to the UN Offices in Geneva and Vienna and concurrently as Ambassador to the Vatican and, subsequently, as High Commissioner to Malaysia. He was President of the UN Disarmament Conference and the Chairman of the Asian Group of Countries in Geneva in 1991. His final posting was as Ambassador to the United States. During his time in Geneva, Dr. Rasaputram was a member of the SLAG and gave his fullest support and encouragement to its activities.

His long and distinguished service to the Nation has now ended. The Central Bank is honoured to have been associated with it.

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