POOL TOURNAMENT UNITES SRI LANKANS

Unity Sri Lanka, a youth group for all Sri Lankans in the U.S., launched its inaugural event April 5 with a billiard’s tournament in suburban Maryland.

The event drew 40 contestants and a total of about 60 people in an effort to raise money for post-conflict projects in Sri Lanka. Those projects could include funding for computer and athletic centers, sports equipment and educational activities.

During the pool tournament, Jaliya Wickramasuriya, Sri Lanka’s ambassador to Washington, handed out awards to the winners in the men’s and women’s singles and doubles categories. The tournament was held at Orange Ball Billiards in Rockville, Md.

In his remarks, Ambassador Wickramasuriya congratulated the organizers and encouraged them to stage similar events in other states to help Sri Lanka.

Unity Sri Lanka seeks to build on unification within Sri Lanka by reconciling ethnic and religious differences to promote a common Sri Lankan identity in the U.S.

Embassy of Sri Lanka
Washington DC
USA

07 April 2009