Professor Malik Peiris is the Chair of Virology in the School of Public Health at the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in China. He has been involved in multiple WHO and WOAH advisory Committees on COVID-19 and H5 Bird Flu (H5N1). He also served as Vice Chair of the influential WHO overarching Strategic Technical Advisory Group for Infectious Hazards of epidemic and pandemic potential. He is currently working on H5 Bird Flu H5N1 and MERS coronavirus as potential future pandemic threats. In 2018 Professor Malik Peiris received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Sri Lanka Foundation International for his groundbreaking research with a particular interest in newly emerging virus diseases at the animal-human interface and because he played a key role in identifying the novel coronavirus that caused SARS in 2003, contributing to its diagnosis and containment.  Since 2018 he has received the following Awards:  –
Read More →

Sri Lanka Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Sanjeev Nandakumaran as a Physician Director, Professional Development at Kaiser Permanente in Baldwin Park. He is the oldest son of Mr. Navaratnam Nandakumaran, who is well-known in the Sri Lankan American community in Los Angeles. In this role, Dr. Nandakumaran will build upon the incredible foundation he and Dr. Teri Kim, his partner, have established as Co-Chairs of the Pathways to Partnership Program for the last twelve years in Baldwin Park. Dr. Nandakumaran begins this role with a background that includes serving as a Physician in Charge of Family Medicine at Baldwin Park Medical Office Building. Additionally, he was a facilitator and panelist for the Regional South California Permanente Medical Group (SCPMG) University sessions and a decade of Co-Chairing the Clinical Patient Communication Committee. Outside of Kaiser Permanente, Dr. Nandakumaran teaches at the USC School of Medicine as a
Read More →

Cyril Dharmawardana Foundation (CDF) is an Australian-based Non-Profit charity organization founded in 2013 in Sri Lanka by Binara Dharmawardana to provide transportation facilities for every single Cancer and other terminally ill patient at the time of their treatment. To enable a comfortable return and dignity without them getting exposed to infectious diseases when traveling on public transport. This is probably the only State of the art Non-Emergency Ambulance service dedicated to Cancer in the Developing World. 
This service is free of charge regardless of the patient’s travel distance. This facility currently operates in the Southern and North Central regions of Sri Lanka and in the main Cancer hospital in the Western Province of Colombo. With ongoing donor support, CDF plans to implement and extend this facility to other Cancer hospitals. CDF also contributes to a world leader in Cancer Research, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Center in Australia to find a
Read More →

Dr Hasini Jayatilaka was born in Australia, and raised in Colombo, attended St Bridget’s Convent in Sri Lanka. Her lawyer mother and engineer father emphasized the importance of education and a well-balanced life to her and her older brother. She came to the United States in 2009 to pursue a bachelor’s degree and eventually a PhD at Johns Hopkins University in chemical and bimolecular engineering. During her sophomore year of college, she found herself performing the early stages of her famed work at the Institute for NanoBio Technology under the mentorship of Denis Wirtz, co-founder and core faculty member of the Institute for NanoBio Technology, Johns Hopkins University Vice Provost for Research, and Theophilus Halley Smoot professor of Engineering Science at Johns Hopkins University. Dr Hasini Jayatilaka is postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University focused on elucidating mechanisms that govern relapse in childhood cancers, particularly B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL)
Read More →

Lack of quality drinking water is a major issue in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. Especially Chronic Kidney Disease affected areas such as Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Padaviya, Galgamuwa and other surrounding areas in the North Central Province. Although the government & several institutions are supplying Reverse Osmosis Water Filter systems to rural communities, filter maintenance is not done regularly, and continuous maintenance of RO system is also a burden to most of the rural villages, schools, temples.Therefore supply, installation & regularly maintaining of RO systems is a great social service & help to these rural communities. This is the best solution for these areas. President/CEO, Dr Dishan Jayasinha and his wife Zuigly Jayasinha of the Sri Lanka Foundation International, USA who are residents of USA traveled all the way to Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka to grace the occasion of the opening of a Brand New Reverse Osmosis Water Filteration Unit system
Read More →

On August 23rd, 2022 Sri Lanka Foundation International, USA donated most urgently needed Purified Vero Cell Rabies Vaccine Vials that was ordered from Kerala, India to the National Health Hospital in Colombo. Professor Ishan De Zoysa, Consultant Surgeon of NHSL accepted the Rabies Vaccine Vials with much appreciation to distribute to the surrounding hospitals in Colombo. On August 26th, 2022 the Kandy National Health Hospital and Teaching Hospital in Peradeniya received the Rabies Vaccine Vals to be distributed to the surrounding hospitals in the Kandy District. SLF extends a special thank you to Venerable Udawatta Wimalabudhi thero at the International Buddhist Center for handling the distribution to the different hospitals in Kandy. SLF also would like to convey a special thank you to the ITN TV Network Creative Director, Sandaruwan Jayawickrama for his support to do a special coverage of the project that was broadcasted in the Sunday Headline News
Read More →

Venerable Henepola Gunaratna is an internationally recognized Author and Meditation Teacher. Prior to coming to the United States, he spent five years of doing missionary work with Harijanas (Untouchable) of India and ten years in Malaysia. He has taught in a number of settings, including the Buddhist Vihara of Washington D.C where he served as President, also served as a Buddhist Chaplain as well as earned his Ph.D in Philosophy in the University in Washington D.C. Ven. Henepola served in meditation centers worldwide and has a strong scholarly background and lifelong commitment to Dhamma. In 1985 Ven. Henepola co-founded the Bhavana Society and became its abbott. He wanted to teach meditation in an environment allowing for longer retreats and intense practice free the trappings of a city vihara. He continues to teach in the direct, compassionate style that characterizes his books and articles. Ven. Gunaratna conveys a well-rounded approach to
Read More →

On the occasion of the SriLanka Foundation International USA, Chairman of the Board, Dr. Walter Jayasinghe’s birthday on 17th of August 2022 Gilanpasa Pooja and Medicine Pooja were conducted according to ancient rituals with the participation of the Maha Sangha and 250 children at 7 pm at Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy. In addition, nutritious food parcels were distributed to the children of Unuvinna primary school and medicinal plants were distributed to 300 farmers in the villages of Delthota area of ​​Kandy district initiated by the Vice President of the Sri Lanka Foundation, Mrs Aeshea Jayasinghe. The Ceremony was organized by Udawaththe Wimala Buddhi, Thero, (MA,BA) Pandit, Director of the International Center, Kandy and Buddhist Studies, Hanthana. About the “Philanthropist Dr Walter Jayasinghe” Read Below: “If you mean philanthropy like giving money – it started only after I made money. If you mean helping humanity and doing things for man and
Read More →

FREE EVENT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Spectacular Cultural Program Virtual Expo will be open to the public from August 10th – August 20th Amazing Virtual Parade Resourceful Presentations Get ready to “Dance Baila” with the Band, “HEAT” Live MC’S from US, Australia and Sri Lanka There are many new features added this time for our worldwide audience. Including new online games to win prizes worth $5000!! REGISTER NOW DON’T MISS OUT!!!! https://www.slfplatform.org/ Sri Lanka-themed virtual Global Celebration will be launched in the United States on the Sri Lanka Foundation International platform introducing to a worldwide audience Sri Lanka’s historical heritage and culture, music, dance forms, and local food and products. All that and more, while being entertained by breath-taking cultural performances, you can enjoy lounging in the comfort of your living room! If that were not enough, a dazzling parade would pass by you, and a glittering fashion show will
Read More →

On August 5th, 2022 Sri Lanka Foundation International, USA donated urgently requested life saving Medicines to the following locations, Marassna Divisional Hospital, Pallegama Divisional Hospital, Galaha Divisional Hospital and Deltota Divisional Hospital in the Kandy District. This is the ninth project completed by SLF and we continue to receive many more requests from hospitals across Sri Lanka for Urgent Medical Consumables and Medicines. The following doctors accepted the products with much appreciation, Dr Manchanayaka from the Marassana Hospital, Dr U.T.A De Silva from the Deltota Hospital, Dr Kavindra Jayasuriya from the Pallegama Hospital and Dr A.M Premalal from the Galaha Hospital. The distribution was organized by Venerable Udawatta Wimalabuddhi Thero at the International Center for Buddhist Studies. SLF extend their deepest gratitude to our ongoing loyal donors that continues to support the cause. For more information contact: Shirani Stanislaus:213-304-7500 or shirani@srilankafoundation.org Keshini Wijegoonaratna: 213-400-7705 or keshini@srilankafoundation.org
Read More →