Well it’s been a long time – and a lot of hard work – in the making, but last weekend saw the return of the annual BRISLA Awards, and this year the show was even bigger and better than last time. Continue reading The 2016 BRISLA Awards
Dr Sivardeen’s Opening Speech at the BriSLA Awards 2015
The inaugural BriSLA Awards took place recently and the following is an extract from the opening speech, made by Dr Zimar Sivardeen, chairman of the British Sri Lankan Association (BriSLA).
Continue reading Dr Sivardeen’s Opening Speech at the BriSLA Awards 2015
The Inaugural BriSLA Awards 2015
When East Meets West
Prosperity, good fortune and accolades for the 2015 BriSLA Awards winners.
THE Inaugural BriSLA Awards saw the brightest stars of the British Sri Lankan community recognised in the capital recently. Continue reading The Inaugural BriSLA Awards 2015
BRISLA at the Festival of Cricket 2015
The British Sri Lankan Association (BriSLA), now coming close to the closing date to the nominations for the BriSLA Community Awards 2015, was in attendance at the Festival of Cricket 2015 that took place in Hainault Recreation Ground, Ilford.
BriSLA is a non-profitable organisation, which was founded to serve all British Sri Lankan communities in the UK and Sri Lanka.
BriSLA is an inclusive body with all races, religions, schools of thoughts and traditions represented. Its members come from all social and cultural backgrounds and professional and political persuasions.
The main activities of the organisation include assisting in the relief of poverty, furthering education, improving the quality of health and contributing a positive impact on the environment. The Association promotes inter-community and intra-community social, cultural activities, and friendly relationships with all sections of British and Sri Lankan society.
The Festival of Cricket is an annual event organised by the Sri Lankan OBA’s in the UK and is probably the biggest Sri Lankan Carnival in the UK. Its purpose being to foster and improve goodwill and harmony amongst the Sri Lankan and the people of the United Kingdom.
Whilst bringing cricket lovers together, participating and enjoying the games, the event aims to raise much needed funds towards Cancer Institute in Sri Lanka and in the UK.
Among the supporters are Mr. Upul Ekanayake, President of FOC 2015,
Dr. Zimar Sivardeen – Chairman of BriSLA, Mr. Chris Whitaker – England & Wales Cricket Board
and Mrs. Chamari Rodrigo, Minister Counsellor – Sri Lankan High Commission.
The BRISLA Feed
The BRISLA Feed aggregate all of your activities across the BRISLA website. If you add and make friends, All of your friends’ activities are also recorded so you can check what your friends are doing on the site.
Although we have the forums, we want the members to find new friends, share their thoughts, have discussions within The BRISLA Feed.
Together we can build a stronger community, BRISLA is the door, you are the key, you just have to unlock it!
When you become a member of The BRISLA Forums your automatically registered to use The BRISLA Feed.
Have Fun!
UK / Sri Lanka Higher Education Partnership develops Biomedical Scientists
The Northumbrian University and BMS has announced they will launch the Northumbria Biomedical Science degree in Sri Lanka. Continue reading UK / Sri Lanka Higher Education Partnership develops Biomedical Scientists
BRISLA Awards 2015 Announced
The Chairman of The British Sri Lankan Association (BriSLA), is calling for nominations for the inaugural BriSLA Awards, to be held in London later this year.
It is an opportunity to celebrate all the successes achieved by the British Sri Lankan community in the fields of Health, Education, Business, Legal, Community Service, Media and Sports Personality. It is a chance to further recognise those who work to improve the welfare and integration of British Sri Lankan communities within wider British society. The purpose of the awards is to raise awareness in the general public and British Sri Lankan communities the importance and benefit of social integration. The event is aimed as a forum for dialogue and cooperation between communities recognising role models who will be examples and inspiration to others in society.
BriSLA Chairman, Ahmed Zimar Sivardeen said: ‘We are thrilled to announce the first BriSLA awards ceremony, where we will celebrate the successes of our thriving British Sri Lankan community in furthering prosperity in Sri Lanka. We know there are many worthy candidates and we look forward to deliberating over the nominations.’
The winners on the night will also be acknowledged at 2016’s London Marathon.
Further information
Entries are open in six categories: health and education, entrepreneurship, legal, public and community service, media and sports personality, with a closing date of July 31st.
BriSLA is a non-profit organisation, inclusive of all races, religions, schools of thought and traditions, which aims to assist in the relief of poverty, improve health and education, and minimise the carbon footprint. All nominations should be sent to chairman@brisla.org.uk.
The BriSLA Awards 2015 will take place on November 14th at Grange St Paul’s Hotel in London.
BriSLA meets with Ambassador of Bosnia & Herzegovina to the UK
BriSLA meets with Ambassador of Bosnia & Herzegovina to the UK.
BRISLA Visits Foreign Minister
BriSLA visits the Foreign Minister in November 2014 at his official residence in Colombo to discuss the work carried out by BriSLA and the work that BriSLA was planning in Sri Lanka.
The Foreign Minister thanked Dr Zimar Sivardeen for BriSLA’s contribution to Sri Lanka and wished the Association the very best in the future.
Muslim Aid and BRISLA raise over £11,160
The British Sri Lankan Association (BRISLA) partnered up with UK based charity Muslim Aid to raise £11,160 at a ‘Night for Children’ event at the prestigious Ravens Ait Island in Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey.
The aim of the event was to raise awareness of one of Muslim Aid’s key projects, the Rainbow Family Child Sponsorship Programme, which allows people to sponsor children in countries such as Sri Lanka, Sierra Leone and Bosnia.
As well as funds raised through an auction featuring a cricket bat signed by England International Moeen Ali, attendees pledged to sponsor 31 children throughout the year.
The Child Sponsorship Programme supports over 5,200 children across the globe by providing schooling costs, food, clothing and access to health services.
The event featured a range of videos telling stories of children whose lives have been improved through the sponsorship programme. A key note speech at the event was delivered by Muslim Aid Trustee, Sir Iqbal Sacranie.
Sir Iqbal commented: “Millions of children around the world miss out on their childhood as a result of poverty. It is our responsibility to pull children out of this cycle by ensuring that they are given the opportunity to grow, prosper and fulfil their potential. This event will help raise awareness of our cause and aim to get children off the streets and into the classroom.”
He added: “I thank BRISLA for partnering with Muslim Aid to organise this event, which is a great example of how community organisations can work together to bring about positive change.”
Chairman of BRISLA, Mr Ahmed Sivardeen said: “On behalf of BRISLA, I commend the work of Muslim Aid, as they share our values of community cohesion. BRISLA aims to create stronger social cohesion amongst the British Sri Lankan community as well as build bridges with other communities. The ‘Night for Children’ event was a great platform for us to come together for such a noble cause.”