Sri Lankans Without Borders

South Asians represent the largest and fastest growing visible minority in Canada, number over 1.6 million in 2011. However, research has shown that South Asian migrants to North America have 1.5 to 4 times higher incidence and prevalence of heart disease compared to other ethnic groups. Furthermore, South Asians suffer from their first heart attack on […]

Our first episode from the SLWB Speak Easy Series commemorates and remembers the conclusion of Sri Lanka’s 30+ year Civil War in 2009. We discuss how our encounters and experiences during that time have shaped our current understandings of identity as well as our hopes for the future of ourselves, our communities and our countries.

SPICY CEYLON TEA Serves 4 12 green cardamom pods 12 black peppercorns 6 cloves 1 tsp fennel seeds 1 cinnamon stick, broken in half 3cm piece ginger, roughly sliced 500ml full-cream milk 1 tbsp jaggery powder* 1 tbsp Dilmah Pure Ceylon tea leaves (or any other full-bodied black tea) * Jaggery powder is an unrefined […]

SLWB had the pleasure of participating in a panel held by Canadian Tamil Law Students and Lawyers to discuss how diaspora members of the legal profession, as well as those outside the legal profession, can contribute to the transitional justice process in Sri Lanka. In particular, Legal Advisor and Director, Romesh Hettiarachchi and SLWB Chair Suthamie […]

Since 2010, Sri Lankans Without  Borders (“SLWB”) has consistently worked to bring together Canadians with ties to communities in Sri Lanka to discuss their history, experiences, deeply held beliefs and aspirations   In doing so, we are committed to amongst other things, using our common Canadian values to create safe and open spaces where issues […]

What a great turnout for our literary event, Finding Individuality in Identity, held on February 24th which was centered on reviewing the work of several South East Asian authors in the community. Thank you to our writers: Tasha Nathan, Manivillie Kanagasabapathy and Koom Kankesan, as well as our moderator Mayank Bhatt for sharing themes and […]

The United Nations General Assembly in 1999 declared an “International Day of Observance for Vesak” — on the initiative of the then Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar.  In 2014, the United Nations declared May 20 as an unofficial UN holiday for Vesak and for the first time the celebrations were hosted by Sri Lanka this month in 2017. It […]

Brunch with the SLWB Bunch celebrated our New Year ( also referred to as Avurudu and Puthandu). Both Sinhalese and Tamils celebrate their New Year on April 14.   In Canada it is mainly celebrated independently by each community. SLWB  celebrated it by featuring food, music and traditions from both groups and provided an opportunity […]

The loss of life during the recent floods in Sri Lanka has left 150+ dead and thousands stranded.  To read more about the situation we have shared two articles.  What can be done to prevent such disasters and how can the country move to more effective natural disaster prevention, management and warning systems? Al Jazeera […]

SPEAK By: Manivillie Kanagasabapathy Don’t be afraid to give light to the noise hiding in the shadows of your mind. It is in that hidden grey space that my heart hears yours, and your voice rings true. So please don’t trust me with your silence, instead, besiege me with your words.