Sunday Times 2
New York City Council celebrates Sri Lanka’s Independence Day
View(s):The New York City Council celebrated Sri Lanka’s Independence Day, just ahead of February 4, in its Council Chambers, in the presence of a gathering of Lankans and Lankan-Americans.
Speaking on behalf of New York City Council Speaker Adrienne E Adams, Councilwoman Kamillah Hanks said “to celebrate the 77th Independence Day, this year marks the first time we are commemorating this significant occasion at City Hall.”
“It is only fitting that in a city as diverse as New York, we celebrate Sri Lankan Independence Day by embracing and showcasing the rich traditions, languages, and cultures that make up our community. We hope this becomes an annual event, growing year after year with even more participation and celebration of Sri Lankan culture.”
The honorees pose for a picture
After the two national anthems and religious ceremonies to mark the occasion – followed by a statement from Chatura Perera, Charge D’Affaires of the Sri Lanka Mission to the UN – there was a Kandyan dance performance from New Jersey Kalanikethanaya and a Bharatanatyam performance from the Tala Shruti School of Dance.
The highlights of the evening included tributes and citations to Lankan expatriates. The honorees included:
Tanya DeSilva, a classically trained Kandyan dancer, who founded the Sri Lankan Dance Academy of NY in 1992 to preserve and share Sri Lanka’s artistic heritage. It has grown into a thriving institution, teaching traditional dance and drumming to new generations.
Lakruwana Wijesinghe, owner of Lakruwana restaurant on Staten Island, who celebrates Lankan culture through cuisine and art. He played a role in establishing one of the first Lankan museums outside Sri Lanka, preserving and showcasing the island’s heritage to a global audience.
Dr Kadirawel Iswara, a physician and educator, who has contributed to medicine, education, and community service. A mentor in gastroenterology, he earned multiple teaching awards and was recognised as a “Top Doctor” by Castle Connolly and New York Magazine. He served as a lieutenant colonel in the US Army Reserves during Operation Desert Storm, led medical aid efforts after the 2004 tsunami, and was honored as an Honorary Police Surgeon for the NYPD.
Dr Kumar Balakrishnan, on the American Board of Pathology, Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, Certified – Nov 1975, Chairman of Pathology 1999 to 2007, Medical Director, Bio diagnostic Laboratories 1999 to 2020 (Retired); an LTC, US Army Reserve (Retired) Medical Corps 1987 -1999; Veteran of Gulf war 1991; and Vice President of the Staten Island Cricket Club. He is also Founder President, Jaffna Hindu College Alumni Association, USA, South Brooklyn Lions, Co-President: Peradeniya Medical School Association of America (PEMSAA) 2024 to present.
Thalif Deen, a Senior Editor at the United Nations Bureau of Inter Press Service (IPS) news agency. A Fulbright scholar with a Master’s Degree (MSc) from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, he twice (2012-2013) shared the prestigious Gold Medal for excellence in UN reporting awarded by the UN Correspondents’ Association (UNCA). He is the author of a 2021 book on the UN titled No Comment – and Don’t Quote
Me on That.
Other honorees included Wimal Ariyawansa, Dona Geethani Kiriella, Naminda Dawundage, Bhante Hennbunne Kondanna, Sadia Malik, Kalanikethanaya Tala, John Harold Ranjith Epasinghe, Anuradha Hewabajgamage, Chatura Perera, Athula Seneviratne, Pinnagala Pangnatissa, Sithambara Sritharasarma, Rahman Arssath
and Kariyakarawanage
Marius C Fernando.