Sri Lanka Day, Denville, NJ

A DAY TO REMEMBER!
 

DENVILLE GEARS UP FOR 37th SRI LANKA DAY- Saturday August 4th 2012
 

A uniquely Denville tradition!
 

Denville Township 's new Mayor Tom Andes has summoned officials of the Sri Lanka Association of New York to a meeting on Wednesday July 11 at the Denville Municipal Building at 2.30 pm.

The meeting will essentially discuss plans already underfoot for the 37th 'Sri Lanka Day', an event held annually at the Gardner Field Recreation Park in Denville New Jersey . The Township of Denville has been the catalyst for the past 36 years in helping expatriates from the island nation of Sri Lanka living in the Tri-State Area to celebrate it's cultural traditions and other sports activities including an array of vendors of foods with Sri Lankan Cuisine.

This is the oldest event of its kind, "Sri Lanka Day" organized in the 50 contiguous states of the US.by the Sri Lanka Association of New York which is the oldest of organizations in the US.

The event was started in the early 70's through the initial help from then President of the Denville Rotary Club and later District Governor, Ross Redmond & Denville residents Jay & Theresa Liyanage. Robert Dalrymple was then Mayor of Denville and Don King was Police Chief.

US Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen has been the regular "Honored Guest" at this event participating in the Ceremonial Opening if the festivities hoisting the American Flag in the company of the Mayor and county freeholder,Gene Feyl, Denville Municipal Council Members , State Senators & Councilmen.
Also regular attendees are Denville Rotarians, and their spouces including Presidents of both Denville clubs in addition to the Rotary District Governor.. The Sri Lankan Ambassadors to the US and Sri Lanka 's Permanent Representative to the United Nations together with the SLANY President assist in hoisting the Srilankan Flag.

The event has progressed to the extent that from a meager 150- 200 people in the 70's to over a thousand of not only Sri Lankans but many residents of Morris County have enjoyed in the festivities each year flocking in for a taste of the islands cuisine. This year apart from those who come from the Tri State area, there could be an influx of participants from the Sri Lanka Association in Washington DC . Apart from the Annual Cricket Encounter in which the Denville Mayors USA Cricket Team competes for the "Consul's Trophy" against the Sri Lankan Cricket team, There will the traditional Cricket Match for the "Togetherness Trophy" between SLA of New York Vs SLA of Washington DC. Played in NJ each alternative year.

Sri Lankan Ambassadors from the two distinctive areas, New York and DC are expected to attend the event as honored invited guests of the Denville Mayor.
The several food booths will also feature Kotthu Roti which was a great attraction last year.
 

This year the new attractions will be "Grands Fun Area" giving the opportunity for grandma's & grandpa's to bring their third generation prodigies to events which will be designed for children between the ages of 3 to 10. All participants will receive gifts. A child's carousal is also planned. More news on this later.
 

Also SLANY is planning a Sri Lankan Inter Schools Soccer Tournament for a special "Slany School's Soccer Trophy" (SSST) Open to all Sri Lankan Schools participants. For soccer please contact Ifthikar Rehman at : 973 243 0165