Lankan Ladies Association of New York honours two at Women’s Empowerment High tea at Vanderbilt

The Sri Lankan Ladies Association hosted a successful high tea event recently, honouring two community leaders on Staten Island who have been greatly insrumental in promoting the Sri Lankan community and advanced the mission of the organisation, Gracelyn’s Chronicles reported.

It said: On Aug. 27, The Sri Lanka Ladies Association’s inaugural “Women Empowerment High Tea” at the Vanderbilt South Beach, highlighted lauding of two Staten Island Sri Lankan women activists: Dona Geethani Kiriella and Tania De Silva.

In attendance was associan’s guest Mohan Pieris, the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations.

The event was made possible by Ambassador Mohan Piris and his wife; Staten Island Democratic Party director Denis Brown; Asian American Labor and Community Organization (AALCO) President Radhakrishnan Mohan; Executive Vice President Dr. Nithiananda; Executive Director Afzal Ali Ansari; Mr. and Mrs. Raj; Malini Muniweera; Nilukshi Kuruneru; and Farah Daluwattage.

Honoree Tania De Silva was recognised for her work in helping members of the Sri Lankan community. A mother of two on Staten Island, De Silva is a traditional Sri Lankan dancer who launched the Sri Lankan Dance Academy in Staten Island, whose mission is to preserve the significant cultural and artistic heritage of Sri Lanka in America through both traditional and contemporary drumming and dancing.

The second honoree was Dona Geethani Kiriella, who has served the Sri Lankan community on Staten Island and beyond through her work as Vice President of Asian American Labour and Community Organization. She is also an executive member at Staten Island Democratic Association.