We had the pleasure of speaking with Niroshan Kahawatte, the current President of the Sri Lanka America Association of Southern California (SLAASC). Established in 1973, the SLAASC aims to unite and serve the burgeoning Sri Lankan community in Southern California.
Niroshan Kahawatte was sworn in as the 50th President on April 30th, 2023, amidst an enthusiastic crowd of over 100 attendees. In his inaugural address, Niroshan articulated a clear vision for the Association under his leadership. He voiced his intention to foster unity within the Sri Lankan American community by unifying smaller groups and creating more inclusive, grand-scale events celebrating Sri Lankan culture.
Former news anchor at Rupavahini TV in Sri Lanka, Director and Producer of BBC, and currently a successful entrepreneur in Los Angeles, Niroshan comes with many years of knowledge and experience in the production and entertainment field.
He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Then he proceeded to the United Kingdom to obtain his Master’s Degree in International Television and Journalism from Sheffield Hallam University.
Niroshan’s determination and dedication to community-building, cultural preservation, and promoting unity among Sri Lankan Americans in Southern California and involving them in community events led him to plan an enchanting evening of unforgettable music and frolic, “Padura,” in the “Assembly of the Royalty of Los Angeles” on July 27th, 2024 in North Hollywood.
He said it is a musical event that will promote culturally appropriate costume contests and judge the contestants on their design effort and presentation. Contestants will also be asked questions about the character or the costume they are depicting or act out the character.
In the first term of his presidency, he initiated an eye clinic to provide free eye examinations, organized an unforgettable Christmas Wonderland for children, and a grand Independence Day celebration, just to name a few.
Furthermore, Niroshan stated he wants to bring a fresh vision to the SLAASC and implement a system for networking among Sri Lankan Americans to assist new Sri Lankan immigrants with initial start-up needs and provide resources, he also plans to start a mentoring program for the youth to empower them to succeed in life.
Niroshan’s message for the community is, “We are only as strong as we are united, and as weak as we are divided.”
Click on the link below to watch a glimpse of the “Padura”:
https://www.facebook.com/slaasc/videos/1163445348301201
