Press & Recognition
Over 75 years of service — covered by the press, celebrated by our partners, and acknowledged by those whose lives the SLWA's work has touched.
Press Articles
Reports and features on SLWA events, milestones, and charitable activities — published in the Sri Lankan and international press.
Sri Lanka Women's Association in UK Celebrates 70th Anniversary
The SLWA marked its 70th anniversary at a luncheon held at St. James's Court Hotel, Buckingham Gate, London. Her Excellency Ms Manisha Gunasekera, High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in the UK, attended as Chief Guest and commended the Association for its continued service to women and girls in Sri Lanka.
The celebrations opened with the lighting of the traditional oil lamp to the tune of "Danno Budunge," followed by the cutting of the anniversary cake. Guests were treated to a silver-service three-course meal, with music from a String Quartet performing classical works by Mozart, Vivaldi, and Bach.
The High Commissioner addressed the gathering and praised the SLWA's decades of work advancing the empowerment of women and girls in Sri Lanka. She confirmed the High Commission's continued support for the Association's activities.
A poem, "An Ode to the SLWA," tracing the Association's history from its founding to the present day, was composed by Hermione Tavarayan and recited by Mona Swaris. Dr Nalini Ekanayake, President of Honour, gave the Vote of Thanks, with the two national anthems rounding off the celebrations.
The SLWA was founded in December 1949 by Lady Evelyn de Soysa and Mrs Laurel Casinader as a non-political, multi-religious, multi-cultural organisation. Its Co-founders established it to provide fellowship and support for the first generation of Sri Lankan women arriving in the UK. The Education Scheme was registered as a UK charity in 1996.
Over the decades, SLWA fundraising has supported the Chronic Kidney Disease Hospital in Anuradhapura, the Heart to Heart Foundation (providing cardiac surgery to impoverished patients), a water purification system for a school of 800 children in the Polonnaruwa district, refurbishment of the Prithipura Home for the Differently Disabled, and the YWCA Girl Child Project.
Education Scheme Tea Party at the DBU
The SLWA Education Scheme held a tea party for sponsored students on 23rd February 2025 at the Dutch Burgher Union Restaurant, Reid Avenue, Colombo. All attendees had received grants from the SLWA to support their courses of study.
The event brought together students who have benefited from the Education Scheme's grants, providing them with the opportunity to meet members of the Association and share their progress. The gathering reflected the SLWA's ongoing commitment to monitoring and supporting the outcomes of its educational funding in Sri Lanka.
National New Year Celebrations
The SLWA held its National New Year Celebrations on Saturday 21st April 2018 at Holy Apostles Church Hall, London SW1. Mr Sam Cooray, Third Secretary at the Sri Lanka High Commission, attended as Chief Guest.
Guests were welcomed with the traditional lighting of the lamp, which was led by Mr Cooray and representatives from the different communities of Sri Lanka. Kiribath was served as the traditional New Year fare, followed by a buffet lunch catered by Golden Platter.
Music from Lalindra Fernando kept a lively atmosphere throughout. A Baila competition and group singing of golden oldies rounded off the afternoon. Mrs Natalie Layman, President, delivered the Vote of Thanks before both national anthems were sung.
68th Annual General Meeting
The SLWA held its 68th Annual General Meeting on 25th March 2017 at the Sri Lanka High Commission, London. It was well attended by members, with guests including the President of the Commonwealth Countries League and a representative from the Women's Council UK.
The AGM marked another year of sustained activity for the Association, with formal proceedings including committee appointments and reports from the Education Scheme. The presence of representatives from affiliated international organisations reflected the SLWA's standing within the wider network of Commonwealth women's bodies.
Appreciation from Those We Support
These letters come from the organisations and individuals who have benefited directly from the SLWA's fundraising. They are the clearest measure of the Association's impact.
Dear Mrs Jayasinghe,
We thank you and the Association with much gratitude for the generous endeavour. Our letter of appreciation together with the receipt has been mailed to you.
As requested by you in your letter to Dr Ruvan Ekanayake, we thought it best that we send you a photograph of the beneficiary of your donation.
Mr W.W.J.W Fernando is a 53-year-old carpenter from Puttalam, presently unemployed due to ill health. His wife is also unemployed. He has a daughter and son. His daughter earns approximately Rs. 4,000 per month and his son is in school.
This beneficiary was assisted with a donation of Rs. 200,000 to cover the cost of his cardiac surgery.
Once again, our sincere thanks and appreciation to all.
On behalf of Dr Ruvan Ekanayake and Dr Rajitha Y De Silva
Heart To Heart Trust Fund, Sri Lanka
The patient supported by the SLWA donation, with Dr Rajitha Y De Silva (Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Co-Founder of the Fund), the ward sister, and junior doctors.
Over 75 years of community service, charitable work, and advocacy for Sri Lankan women in the UK.
A single SLWA fundraising donation in 2016 covered life-saving cardiac surgery for a patient in Sri Lanka.
The SLWA holds formal membership of the Commonwealth Countries League and the International Alliance of Women.
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