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| Welcome to our Homepage! |
| The Inauguration. The Sri Lankan American Catholic Association of Metropolitan Washington (SLACAMW) was founded on August 1, 2004, at the inaugural meeting convened by Dr. Gregory Fernandopulle and Dr. Hilarian Codippily. The inauguration of the SLACAMW fulfilled a long felt need for a formal structure to conduct Catholic activities, which were previously carried out on an informal basis for over 15 years. These activities included the Sri Lanka Peace Mass, and special events at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, such as the Mother of Miracles Celebration, the Vailankanni Annual Pilgrimage organized in collaboration with the Indian community, and participation in the annual Rosary and Mass organized by the Asian and Pacific Community. With the concurrence of the Sri Lankan Catholic members who attended the inaugural meeting, Dr. Hilarian Codippily assisted by Mrs. Sheila Codippily drafted the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws and incorporated the Association as a Maryland Nonstock Corporation on December 22, 2004. |
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| Founder Members. The response to the call for the formation of the Association was spontaneous. On a bright Sunday afternoon of August 1, 2004, an enthusiastic group of Sri Lankan Catholics came together at a meeting graciously hosted by Gregory and Sulochana Fernandopulle at their residence in Potomac, Maryland. The founder members were: Maxwell and Regina Amirthampillai, Don and Mangala Baddeliyanage, Prasanth Cherubim, Hilarian and Sheila Codippily, Lasantha Dahanaike, Reneira de Silva, Kutila and Dilani Dias, Gregory and Sulochana Fernandopulle, Nihal Goonewardene, Srinath Jayasundera, Patricia Juriansz, Guy and Cecilia Motha, Loretta Nedimala, Elaine Obeyesekera, Edward Peries, Eleanor Sorbello, Champa Soyza, and Ranjith Wiratunga. |
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| The First Board. Gregory Fernandopulle, proposed by Hilarian Codippily was elected as the first President of the Association, and Hilarian Codippily, proposed by Nihal Goonewardene was elected as the President-Elect. Champa Soyza proposed by Sheila Codippily was elected as Secretary, and Ranjith Wiratunga proposed by Gregory Fernandopulle was elected Treasurer. Six other members from those present were also elected to the Board. Prasanth Cherubim agreed to be the Registered Agent for the new Association. |
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| Benefits. The formation of the Association has brought about many advantages. First, it has provided a formal structure for charitable giving. Second, a forum has been established for voicing of opinions as a body, on matters of concern to the Sri Lankan Catholics in the Metropolitan Washington area. Third, the formation of the Association opened the door to joining the National Asian and Pacific Catholic Organization (NAPCO), which was in its formative stages at the time of the inaugural meeting. |
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| The Mission of SLACAMW. The Mission Statement adopted by the SLACAMW, as presented in the Bylaws, is to: |
(A) |
provide a forum for its membership to promote religious, educational, and charitable activities to benefit Sri Lankan Catholics and friends of Sri Lankan Catholics living in the United States of America; and to provide assistance to religious and other non profit charity organizations in Sri Lanka and in the United States of America |
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help safeguard and promote religious freedom; and |
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provide services to its members that foster the purposes set out in (a) and (b) above. |
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| Our Association has gained much recognition and visibility within a short span of three years, through a mix of social and religious activities. These activities include the Christmas Carol Celebrations, the Annual Pilgrimage to the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, Emmitsburg, the Sri Lanka Peace Mass, publication of the newsletter, which includes articles by members, and joint religious activities with the Indian American Catholic Association and the National Asian and Pacific Catholic Organization. Such activities, which helped in strengthening our Catholic faith and in bringing us closer together, have been made possible by the generous support and cooperation extended by our members. |
| You are invited to learn more about our Association by clicking on the appropriate links. |
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