SRI LANKA MALAY (UK) ASSOCIATION DINNER DANCE - Full Gallery

Article by Neil de la Harpe

The Sri Lanka Malay (UK) Association Dinner/Dance took place on Saturday the 25th of October 2014, at the Holiday Inn, Empire Way, Wembley HA9 8DS. Cocktails were served from 19.00 hrs. & the Chief Guests from the Sri Lanka High Commission, Councillor Mr. K.K. Yoganathan & Dr. Ms. Kokila Waidyaratne arrived at around 20.00.

An hour later, the President, Ms. Zounie Fallil addressed the audience with a short but effective speech. Mr. Yoganathan spoke next & this was followed by Khalid Din & the Sri Bulang Dance Troupe entertaining the guests with some lively Malay cultural dances. These were interspersed with a delightful exhibition of Kandyan dancing by the equally delightful Hansani Udawatta.

Dinner was served at about 21.15 hrs. & the 270 guests danced (assuming all of them wiggled their bottoms to the rhythms of Sky High!!!) till 22.45 hrs. when the Raffle was drawn. The first prize was a return ticket to Sri Lanka & it was won by one of the most popular ballroom dancers on our Sri Lankan social scene, the most debonair & charismatic Dr. Suren Iyer!! Every person to a man appeared to be happy that this popular guy had won it.

Mention must be made here of the spectacular & tasteful décor created by Kumi. Also, included here should be the names of Manjula Munasinghe, Keyboard player, together with Vimal Rajakaruna, Sound Engineer, & their Band Skyhigh. They supplied music that was very agreeable to the ear & yet not so loud as to prevent people talking at their tables, a point sadly missed by many of our Sri Lankan Bands that produce music far too loud to be enjoyed.

Many of the guests were extremely pleased with the manner in which Skyhigh had controlled their decibels & the complimentary remarks made after the dance, showed their unmitigated appreciation.

The celebrations ended at 01.00 hrs. & the guests left with lavish praises for the organizers, & vowed to return for the SLMA dance in 2015. Enough said.