Residents of Toronto and Ottawa sold Record 1000 meals to support legal funds to repeal TGEWA over Thanksgiving Weekend raising a historic $14,000 in a single day!
By Anura Ferdinand
Ottawa – 12th October, Friends of Sri Lanka in the Greater Toronto area reported close to 900 kottu Roti sales along with 100 Nasi Guram Rice packets sale by Ottawa by Friends of Sri Lanka. Both sales were sold out before the long weekend.
The organizers of the Toronto sale stated that over 40 volunteers were involved that comprised mostly the younger generation. While the main kottu line was operated by about 20 volunteers led by Tharaka, the rest were busy packing and delivering the tasty kottu to the 15 pickup locations from Hamilton to Ajax to Richmond Hill. Asoka Pinnaduwage, Kitsiri, and Badra took orders from all around GTA to coordinate this magnanimous task. Sri Lanka Canada Association of Brampton helped by sharing their experience and collecting etransfer funds from supporters. Some volunteers had taken some time off work to help prepare ingredients and facilities for the event on Sunday the 10th of October. Many donated more than the cost of the Kottu towards the Legal Fund. The organizers offered four options for the kottu sale. Chicken Kottu ($12.50), Veggie kottu ($12.50), Egg Kottu ($12.50) and Mutton Kottu ($15.00). The meals were prepared by professional chefs in Scarborough. Kottu was prepared for the tapping tunes of many popular songs including the Manike Mage Hithe hit and many other baila songs. The organizers wish to acknowledge their sincere gratitude to all those who contributed in many ways. Special mentions were Gayan Senadeera, Janaka R, Nilanthi P, Devapriya P, Sunil P, Asoka L, Asoka P, Hasitha, Chamara, Thushari, Anura G, Susantha/Theta, Indrani, Vajira, Nisshanka Hema, Rashanthi, Pubudu/Manju, Badra, Kithsiri, Mali/Clarence, Shanaka, Sashi, Sena, Udayakantha, Sagara, Nishantha Don, Nishantha H, Chamila, Kapila J, Prasanna G, Shelton U, Chaminda Y, Thilan, Dilshan and Tharaka, and their team. A flyer containing advertisements of over 20 Sri Lankan businesses is distributed along with the food. Many thanks to the patriotic contributions of advertisers.
Sri Lankan Canadian Action Coalition and Friends of Sri Lanka in Ottawa organized the 4th Lunch packet sale which was sponsored and prepared by a professional Chef Arjuna Tilakarathna in Limoges. This sale was a snap sale with only 75 packets which was later increased to 100. The sale included tasty Nasi Gurang Rice with Devilled Chicken or Chilli Pork sides along with a separate chili side for $20. Packets were distributed to Ottawa, Orleans, Kanata, Gatineau, and Barrhaven by volunteers. The Sri Lankan Friends in Ottawa wish to provide their sincere gratitude to all those who contributed in many ways to make the event a success. Special mentions went out to Arjuna, Jude, Nihal, Henry, Geethaka, Adithya, Anura F, Neville, Prabath, Sukitha, Samith, Nissanga, Gamini, Saman, and Subash.
The volunteers were seen contributing as a united front on the first-ever challenge to a private members bill in the history of Canada. Sri Lankan Canadian community is rallying to repeal the outrageous TGEWA!
Thanking the many that came together to make the events a success. Please follow us via signing the petition to receive updates.
https://www.change.org/p/reject-tamil-genocide-day-bill-in-ontario-and-canada
More information on Tamil Genocide Education Week Act can be found at:
Ways to donate to repeal TGEWA:
a. etransfer for Canadians only: etransfer@srilankancanadian.ca
b. https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=HX9JJNMQSZFJG
c. https://www.gofundme.com/f/legal-fund-for-fighting-against-bill-104