Sri Lanka Day Expo & Parade was launched in the United States on the Sri Lanka Foundation International Virtual Platform on August 13th and 14th, 2022, to showcase the rich artistic tradition, embracing the fine arts, including music, dance, and visual arts. 

Sri Lanka Day celebrations are sponsored and organized by the Sri Lanka Foundation International based in Los Angeles, California, a brainchild of Dr. Walter Jayasinghe, a leading expatriate physician who came to the U.S. in the early 1960s. In 2003, he established the Foundation to promote Sri Lankan cultural activities in the U.S. 

Throughout the two-day festivities, the featured events staged from around the world when the sights and sounds and the unique taste of Sri Lanka virtually came alive. It featured Sri Lankan traditional music, dances, art, and theatre staged in the USA, Sri Lanka, Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, the U.K., and India. I hope you enjoyed the two spectacular performances featured in last week’s SLF News. This week we are featuring two more astonishing items to appreciate the Sri Lankan fashion showcasing Shanika’s Batik Designs and a chilling performance by the BEHRI Drummers from New York.  

The performances were interspersed with a cultural fashion show with Sri Lankan models showcasing Sri Lankan clothing on the catwalk. Shanika Marasinghe’s designs are primarily focused on Batiks. With over 20 years of experience in Batik Fashion Design internationally, he has brought his new Batik creations to the world while honoring Sri Lanka. His purpose is to direct the art of Batik in a new way and introduce trending designs to the younger generation. 

Click the link below to watch the fashion of Shanika Batiks.
https://youtu.be/ENewM8unLNY

 “”BEHRI””  the deep, loud sound of the drum. They are a professional percussion and dance ensemble that display incredible levels of virtuosity, and the extraordinary sound of a group of top drummers in full flight is one of the island’sisland’s most distinctive and pulse-quickening experience.  Click the link below to watch a GATABERA Performance by BEHRI.
https://youtu.be/haHXk5UaFjM

Stay tuned with us to watch more videos of the Amazing Cultural Performances coming up next week!!