Author: Director Information and Communications
Giving Back to the Community
As part of the new initiatives announced on the 26th of October 2015, we are pleased to inform you that we have identified 3 registered charities that promote Sri Lankan culture and started to make monthly pre-authorized debit donations, starting 1st of April 2016.
With this initiative an amount agreed by the EC is allocated equally to the registered Sri Lankan Charities in Ottawa. This year, to start it off, we allocated a monthly sum of $10 to each of the three such institutions. This is done in line with the SLCAO Objectives.
Special General Meeting on the 30th of April 2016
April 08, 2016
link to presentation:SLCAO Registration
Further to our email on the 25th of March 2016 and As per 13 a. clause of the SLCAO Constitution there will be a Special General meeting to discuss a special matter as stated in the constitution.
We have sought legal advice and the time has come for SLCAO to complete the registration process by voting on the new By-laws.
Also Further to our email on the 25th of March to inform the members of the upcoming changes, we have also reached out to the Past Presidents of SLCAO for the last 9 years for their input on the 27th of March 2016. Other than compliments, we have not received any by-law related feedback from the members or the past Presidents. Therefore we will proceed with the attached by-laws. Any changes needed would be considered for the AGM in October 2016.There will be no other SGM before the AGM to review changes back and forth.
This meeting is schedule on,
Date: 30th April 2015
Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Venue: Heron Community Centre (1480 Heron Rd) – Alta Vista Room
Agenda
2:00pm Arrival of Guests
2:10pm – 2:30pm Presentation on the changes to the constitution
2:30pm – 2:50pm Review responses
2:50pm – 3:00pm Vote on the By-laws
3:00pm—4:00pm Meeting adjourned and refreshments served
Click Here to view the by-laws ready for SGM
Update:
3rd of May 2016
Dear Members and friends,
We wish to share the following exciting news with you about the Special General meeting (SGM) held at the Heron Road Community Center on the 30th of April 2016 from 2pm – 4pm.
Pictures of the event can be found at:
http://tinyurl.com/za49xh3
As per section 18 of the constitution we have received over and beyond the required number of votes to proceed to change the constitution and proceed to register SLCAO as a Not For Profit Corporation. We will work with Francis and Francis Law firm to proceed with the registration and will let you know of the progress.
Thanks for all your support!
Executive Committee,
SLCAO
Inaugural Tea Party organized by the SLCAO Seniors Group
We are pleased to announce that the inaugural Tea Party organized by the SLCAO Seniors Group will be on the 16th of April 2016, from 3pm-5pm at the Heron Gate Community Center, 1480 Heron Road in Ottawa.
Thank you!
SLCAO Executive Committee
Registration of SLCAO as a Nonprofit Organisation
It is with great pleasure that we announce the steps being taken to register SLCAO as a Nonprofit Organization.
It is SLCAO’s 40th Anniversary and it is high time that this well respected and established organization be registered with Corporations Canada as a Nonprofit Organization. When SLCAO is incorporated, the constitution will be referred to as “By-laws”. Since it is a mature organization, in-order to register it, we need to call a Special General Meeting (SGM) and get the new by-laws approved from members, as per section 13 of the Constitution.
Here are the timelines that will lead to the SGM:
March 25th – April 9th : Draft by-laws are circulated to all Members via email and feedback requested till April 7th 2016.
April 9th – SLCAO Will officially schedule the SGM as per Section 13 of the (existing) constitution and send the final version of By-laws to members via email.
April 30th – SLCAO SGM to vote on the new By-laws.
Click here to download draft by-laws…
Sinhalese Radio Stations
Aganuwarin Payak
Tune into Sawana Radio every Saturdays 8pm-9pm and retelecast on Tuesdays 8pm-9pm.
Link: http://sawana.ca/
Sinhalese Rhythm
Tune into 93.1 FM, alternate Tuesdays from 11:00 am to Noon for an exclusive Sinhalese radio broadcast, hosted by Priyantha Wijeweera of Ottawa.
Check the schedule for more information https://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/guide.html
Click here to listen to previous https://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/476/info.html
Latest SLCAO Email Updates
GALA 2026 FAQ
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FAQs about Our Gala! Dear Members and Friends,
As we prepare to celebrate the SLCAO 50th Anniversary Legacy Gala this weekend, we wanted to share a few important reminders and frequently asked questions to help ensure a smooth and enjoyable evening for everyone.
✨ EVENT DETAILS
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Blu Legacy Convention Centre 5pm- 1am
3750 N Bowesville Rd, Ottawa, ON K1V 1B8PARKING
There is free parking at the venue and additional free parking will be available at the nearby IBM parking lot. Please allow yourself extra time for parking and arrival.ATTIRE
The attire for the evening is formal / semi-formal and national dress/festive wear.BAR SERVICE
Please note that no outside alcohol is permitted in the venue.
A cash bar will be available and managed directly by the hall. Credit and debit cards and other standard payment methods will be accepted.RAFFLE
We will also be holding a raffle draw featuring a variety of exciting prizes generously donated by members and sponsors of our community including a 65 inch TV! Be sure to bring cash to purchase your raffle tickets during the event for your chance to win!TICKETS
This event is officially SOLD OUT. Thank you all for your incredible support.🙏 THANK YOU
We are truly looking forward to celebrating this historic milestone with all of you, and thank you once again for your support of SLCAO over the years.
Warm regards,
Executive Committee
SLCAO
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--> SOLD OUT! Our Legacy Gala 2026 has officially sold out — and it’s all because of YOU.
Thank you for showing up, supporting, and continuing to strengthen our community. This celebration of 50 years of SLCAO would not be possible without each and every one of you.
We look forward to celebrating together on May 9th! We will be emailing important information about the event tomorrow including details about tickets and parking.
Stayed tuned for more this week on our incredible sponsors and supporters!<!--
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Urgent reminder: Please reserve your tickets with a ticket seller today — we are now 70% sold out. Thank you to everyone who has already purchased and shown their support. Kindly note that after April 30th, tickets will be available at $100, and due to venue requirements and advance catering commitments, no tickets will be sold at the door.
Join us for an unforgettable evening featuring DJ Leo, vibrant cultural performances, a full buffet dinner, and traditional New Year sweets. We will also be honouring the achievements of the association and its past presidents, and are honoured to welcome a number of distinguished guests, including the Mayor.
Let’s come together and show the strength and commitment of our community.
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October 26th, 2015
Dear Members,
The Executive Committee is pleased to announce 2 long term initiatives;
SLCAO Building Fund
The main objective of this fund is to build enough capital to fund a Sri Lankan Community Center in the future. Money collected will be invested in a long term growth mutual funds and purchased via TD Waterhouse brokerage. The exact type of investment equity will be the decision of the Executive Committee (current and future) based on market conditions with advice from a licensed Investment Advisor.
SLCAO Scholarship Fund
The main objective of this fund is to build enough capital to finance an ongoing program of providing scholarships to an underprivileged school/individual in Sri Lanka or in Canada. The founding stone to this initiative was placed when SLCAO undertook and implemented a one-time Scholarship fund raiser in the 2013/14 EC year to a Primary school in Mangala Eliya in Sri Lanka (see youtube video here http://tinyurl.com/ng3xu6r). At the 2013 Christmas party $470 was raised for this purpose and Past President Roshan Fernando personally delivered it to the School in Sri Lanka.
Moving forward from this year, monies raised for Scholarships will not be distributed, instead it will be invested. The returns of the investment will be used to fund the SLCAO Scholarship program. While we hope to raise as much as possible in the current year at least to fund 1 or 2 students, the majority of the benefit would be in the upcoming years. The Executive Committee will decide as to which underprivileged school/individual to be funded.
Money collected will be invested in dividend/income equity fund and purchased via TD Waterhouse brokerage. The exact type of investment equity will be the decision of the Executive Committee (current and future) based on market conditions with advice from a licensed Investment Advisor.
Please stay tuned for the upcoming fund raisers to support these two causes.
Thank you
SLCAO Executive Committee
Renew SLCAO Membership
As per the constitution, SLCAO Membership is based on the Fiscal year. SLCAO’s fiscal year is from September 1st till August 31st of the following year.
Please click on the following link to renew Membership:
