PRESS RELEASE-Chinthaka Abeysekera Assistant Treasurer, American Alumni Association

The American Alumni Association (AAA) was established in July 1988 by its founder President Mr. Janaka Edirisinghe, and will be celebrating its Silver Jubilee on 09^th August 2013. The organization, AAA as it is commonly known, is a social network of Sri Lankan Alumni returning from American Universities/College and aims to address problems such as re-entry into Sri Lanka and employment. Given the common educational heritage, this organization is also a forum connecting like-minded and culturally similar people together.

The organization, which extends to all American Colleges and Universities, also promote American education by way of participating in educational fairs and assists students in finding the right university. AAA also conducts orientation programs conducted to assist students successfully begin their higher education in the US. The AAA has also developed a tracking system that determines availability of Sri Lankan students in the USA, and in turn serves as catalyst towards bringing back these US graduates to high placements in Sri Lanka

As a continuation of these efforts, the AAA organized the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Amazing America Education FairƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ where representatives of 25 American Universities/Collegesand over 1000 students participated. The AAA has also supported several outstation schools to develop not only their infrastructure but also their curriculums such that the English Language is promoted. Focus on education has also extended to the community service activities, where AAA supports several schools for the differently-abled children.

Socially, AAA recognizes and celebrates American holidays and events such as ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”ThanksgivingƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”HalloweenƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ and ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”Super BowlƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢. A feeling of family and camaraderie is also fostered through seminars, workshops, weekend getaways, cocktails and residential dinner parties where fellowship is extended as part of our commitment.

The Silver Jubilee Event, which celebrates 25 years of AAAƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s activities and members, will be held at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in the Atrium Hall at 6.30pm on 09^th August 2013. The Chief Guest of the event will be the Hon. Minister of External Affairs, Prof. G.L. Peiris. The Chief Guest will be accompanied by the two patrons of the AAA, the American Ambassador, Her Excellency, Michele J. Sison and Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the President of Sri Lanka.

Some of the memberƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s receiving awards at the Silver Jubilee Event are:

Dr. P.B. Jayasundara ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Secretary to the Ministry of Finance and Planning

Dr. RadikaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Coomarasamy ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Scholar, Author & former Chairperson of Human Rights Commission

Mr. Julian BollingƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” First Sri Lankan Olympic Swimmer, also excelled at SAARC & Asian Games

Ms. OtaraƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Gunawardena ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Founder of Odel, Forerunner in Retail Excellence

Mr. Ajit Gunawardena ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Deputy Chairman, John Keells Holdings

For more details about this event, please inquire from Georgiana or Kaili at americanalumnisl@gmail.com