Dhammawood Meditation Center (DMC) is a 501 C-3 non-profit organization. It is a branch of Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery, a worldwide Buddhist organization established in Sri Lanka in 1999. The monastery is led by monks ordained and trained in the oldest tradition of Buddhism, Theravada. SLF had the opportunity to speak with the Chief Monk, Venerable Piliyandala Bodhivansa. He explained that Dhammawood Meditation Center is a place for everyone, regardless of their background or experience, to learn and practice the ancient teachings of the Buddha to cultivate a calm and peaceful mind. It is a non-profit organization based in Riverside, California, dedicated to fostering spiritual development through meditation. The DMC shares the transformative power of meditation through free programs offered by the monks in various cities. They also offer several free programs and community events, such as blood donation campaigns and life release events. Venerable Bodhivana wanted to share this message
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During my interview with Binara Dharmawardana, the Founder and Chairman of the Cyril Dharmawardana Foundation (CDF) charity, I was deeply moved by the impact of their work. The CDF charity operates a fleet of ambulances that provide free medical transportation, regardless of distance and time. This service is a lifeline for many Sri Lankans suffering from cancer and other terminal illnesses, enabling them to access crucial medical treatments. The relief and hope it brings to patients and their families are truly immeasurable. The Cyril Dharmawardana Foundation stands out as Sri Lanka’s first and only non-emergency patient transport service, provided free of charge to the terminally ill in impoverished communities. This unique initiative, led by Binara Dharmawardhana and his dedicated CDF team, is a testament to their commitment to serving those in need. Binara was one of the SLF’s 2024 Outstanding Performance by a Young Professional Award Winners. He described how,
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On the 12th of January, 2024, Her Excellency Julie Chung, the U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, visited the Los Angeles Medical Center (LAMC) Hospital project site on a tour and had discussions with the senior management staff who were present on the occasion. The Los Angeles Medical Center (LAMC) Hospital is a modern, 105-bed, multi-specialty, tertiary care, Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) sanctioned, $40 million (LRK 12.5 billion) project under construction in Dehiwala in Sri Lanka. The project is privately funded by Dr. Walter Jayasinghe MD, the famous Sri Lankan-American philanthropist and the founder of the Sri Lanka Foundation International in Los Angeles, California. Once completed, the LAMC Hospital will be a significant contribution from Sri Lankan Americans to the people of Sri Lanka, where millions of present and future generations will benefit immensely from a genuinely world-class healthcare facility. Ambassador Chung was briefed about some of the
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In a recent commitment to further the Sri Lanka Foundation’s service to Sri Lanka, the Senior Operations Director of the Sri Lanka Foundation, Achala Weerasinghe, met with the Deputy Chief Officer of Mission, Sonnek Angeles, at the US Embassy in Sri Lanka on Thursday, 21 December 2023. The agenda revolved around the ongoing initiatives of the Sri Lanka Foundation, particularly highlighting recent endeavors within the country. Noteworthy discussion was extended to the Foundation’s significant aid, including urgent medicines and medical supplies, donated to multiple hospitals throughout Sri Lanka, emphasizing the longstanding friendship between the people of Sri Lanka and the USA, characterized by mutual assistance in healthcare development within the country. The Sri Lanka Foundation has generously donated urgent medical supplies to divisional hospitals in Marassana, Pallegama, Galaha, and Deltota in the Kandy District, marking a significant contribution to healthcare provisions. The meeting highlighted the invaluable support the Sri Lanka
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Donate Now: SLYO GoFundMe   SLYO writing to you today to appeal for your support for a cause that is close to our hearts – providing free medical care to the struggling communities in Sri Lanka.   The rising costs of medication, severe fuel shortages, and food insecurity have made it impossible for many citizens to access healthcare services and maintain their health. This has particularly impacted rural, low-income communities such as tea estate workers, paddy-field workers, and fishermen, who often lack adequate healthcare access.   As a result, the Sri Lankan Youth Organization (SLYO) is organizing a one-day medical camp in Nelawa, Kurunegala, to serve approximately 600 locals. This community is facing significant financial hardships and severely limited healthcare access, and our goal is to make a tangible difference in their lives.   Your generous donation will support the purchase of essential medications and medical equipment that we will
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The Sri Lanka Foundation (SLF) Awards Ceremony 2022 celebrated 25 exceptional Sri Lankans from over four continents. This one-of-a-kind event was streamed online live and hosted over 450 guests attending the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles on Sunday, November 13th, 2022. For the Sri Lankan community worldwide, this event continues to be the most prestigious awards ceremony, which recognizes those in the Sri Lankan community whose work has had an essential impact on the lives of others. In putting on the SLF Awards Ceremony, Sri Lanka Foundation hopes to show the community’s gratitude for the awardees’ creativity and outstanding achievements, increase awareness of their accomplishments, and, most importantly, inspire the younger generation to achieve excellence in their chosen fields. With this purpose at heart, it has been growing since its inception in 2003, boasting the most significant number of awardees celebrated, and with a tremendous demand for attendance that
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Emperor Marcus Azuelius of Rome honored his Greatest General of Rome, the “Spaniard” – Maximus Decimus Meridus with “Coat of Arms” for his great victories for Rome. Roman Gladiator Maximus was born on 4th August 152 AD. The name Maximus and “Coat of Arms” has been carried on continuously by his descendents after his death, for 256 generations. The present direct descendent Maximus Priyalal Kurera was also born on 4th August in Portuguese named Capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo in 1952. Maximus Priyalal always does the “Maximum” in whichever project he handles. Married to Lasanthi of the “Fernando” Brigade, He sired two great warriors Devinda and Thivantha who are doing great, in their respective field of professions. Maximus Priyalal and family conquered the American Spirit at the age of 28 when they set foot on this land of Opportunity in 1980. Priyalal, albeit did not lose the Sri Lankan “Touch”
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Zainab Ifthikar is passionate about medicine, and through her ongoing efforts, she wants to serve many underprivileged communities across the world. Moving to Saudi Arabia (where Zainab was born), she and her family have not forgotten their Sri Lankan roots. They constantly support the country at any time of need, through their organization, the MEI Foundation. She was only 16 year’s old when she launched an awareness program on acute kidney diseases prevailing in the North Central Province of her native country, Sri Lanka. Ifthikar fell in love with the magnificence of human biology. She says, “the adrenaline rush of understanding the mind-boggling intricacy of how we function is just inexplicable; like finally, everything made sense in the world.” She is also a people’s person, and enjoys interacting with others, expanding her network, and helping those around her. Hence, she wanted to choose a career that would both fuel her
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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
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On December 4th, 2019 history was created within the walls of the magnificent Los Angeles City council chambers on a rainy morning amidst a gathering of distinguished leaders, where a community came together to celebrate Dr. Walter Jayasinghe and his invaluable philanthropic services rendered to this beautiful city of Los Angeles and the Sri Lankan community declare Sri Lanka Day to be celebrated every year on August 17th. Today, August 17th, 2022 around 11.00am, the Sri Lanka Foundation International, USA Chairman of the board, Dr Walter Jayasinghe, Vice President, Aeshea Jayasinghe and staff, and the City of Los Angeles celebrated the 3rd annual Sri Lanka Day, in honor of Sri Lankan culture and the remarkable contributions of Sri Lankan Americans in the City and beyond. This year’s celebration was held outdoors and was marked by flags of USA, Sri Lanka, State of California and cultural exposition at the city of
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