The Sinhala New Year Dinner And Dance Cum Awards 2004

17 Apr 2004

By Dr Balaji Sadasivan

Venue: The Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel

Mrs Margaret Rajarethnam

President, Singapore Sinhala Association

Members of the Singapore Sinhala Association

Ladies and Gentlemen

I am told that Sinhala means Lion blood because the first prince of Sri Lanka had a lion for a grandfather. Sinhalese who migrated to Singapore certainly selected an appropriate city as Singapore is the Lion City. The Sinhalese have a cultural heritage that goes back 2,500 years. This is not surprising as Sri Lanka is considered to be a paradise on earth. It is a land of extraordinary beauty and rich resources. The Sinhalese harnessed the riches of their land through an extensive irrigation system. They invented the sluice gate for irrigation systems 1000 years before the rest of the world. Such an advanced civilization will no doubt give rise to a complex and sophisticated culture.

Seventy-four years ago, Sinhalese migrants in Singapore founded the Singapore Sinhala Association to preserve the heritage and bond between overseas Sinhalese and Sri Lanka. Through the dedicated effort of members, the society has been active for more then seven decade even though the majority of Sinhalese in Singapore today are local born Sinhalese Singaporeans.

I congratulate the association on the good work that you do. Through your education grants, you advance the prospects of young Sinhalese. Your humanitarian donations for flood relief in Sri Lanka and in sponsoring Young Sri Lankans to Singapore build goodwill between the two countries.

Sinhalese ladies have led the way in Asia with Sri Lanka having the first women Prime Minister. Today the president of Sri Lanka is also a lady. I note that for the first time the president of your association is a lady. I congratulate Mrs. Margaret Rajarethnam and the management committee for the good work they are doing and wish the association the very best.

Thank you.