History

The SLAR was officially formed on July 10, 2022, Its first President is Sampath Fernando, and the inaugural board includes Sonali Fernando, Roshan Hennayake, Christopher Henriques, Anthony Ehuaraj, Mohamad Anas and Sudesh Galhenage.

Along with our purpose and objectives, SLAR has promoted Sri Lankan, Supporting community and membership.

Dr. Frank Samuel, who relocated to Regina in 1968, is believed to be the area’s earliest recorded resident of Sri Lanka. In 1967, he graduated as a medical doctor from the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland. Immediately after graduation, Frank left Ireland for Regina, where he set up a private practice with two other physicians at Broadway Medical Clinic. During his seventeen years of practicing medicine in Regina, he became one of the team physicians for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Regina Rams. Frank also was a team physician for Team Canada at several Olympic Games.

Since 2010, the number of Sri Lankan in Regina and surrounding has increased. Our members organize events promoting Sri Lankan values and culture until the pandemic to promote a culture within our community. In 2013, Ashan Paranawitane, Buddhine Meegahage, Mohamed Anas, Sashika Hiripitiya, and Sonali Fernando created the Regina, Sri Lankan (Sri Reginians) group with the intention of bringing the Sri Lankan community living in Regina together, as well as to assist newcomers to Regina.

In the summer of 2015, with the help of Dulana Karunarathna, Kingsley & Dhilrukshi Seilman and Roshan & Kumari Hennayake, the first event for the community was held at Candy Cane Park. Close to 50 people attended this first event, which was a huge success. Since then, every year, the group has been able to hold Sri Lankan New Year and Christmas parties until the Pandemic 2020.

In 2022, Mohamed Anas and Sudesh Galhenage took the initiative to form an authorized institution in Regina. Together, they conceived the idea of the Sri Lankan Association of Regina (SLAR) and collaborated with Sashika Hiripitiya, Sampath Fernando, and Rita Werapitiya to establish the foundation of SLAR in April 2022.