Sri Lankan Australian Youth Association (SLAYA)

The Sri Lankan Australian Youth Association (SLAYA) is a student-run, not-for-profit organisation based in Perth, Western Australia. Our organisation orchestrates a variety of educational, cultural, social and sporting events each year in order to have an advantageous impact on the wider community as all the proceeds from our events benefit various charities in Australia and Sri Lanka. Consequently, this creates a platform for members to transition more easily into Australian society by developing support networks with each other. We strive to make an impact within the wider community through sharing our time, skills and heritage. Our target audience is primarily youth with a passion for Sri Lankan culture and/or supporting charitable work. However, we welcome everyone to join us regardless of background as we embrace and celebrate all cultures to drive the notion of peace and unity under the one flag. Our leadership team typically consists of around 15 - 20 students each year, working diligently to accommodate the needs of a multitude of students spanning multiple universities including Curtin, Edith Cowan (ECU), Murdoch and the University of Western Australia (UWA). These students are provided with the opportunity to develop their self-awareness and voice their opinion amongst the wider community. Moreover, they are provided with the means to enhance their leadership, communication and event management skills throughout the course of the year by participating in university-run workshops and gaining invaluable hands-on experience - all while making a positive social impact through their work which is directed towards advocating change in Australia and Sri Lanka. Since our inception, we have been fortunate enough to work alongside a vast array of charities by hosting events in order to assist them in reaching their goals including the Leukaemia Foundation, Starlight Children's Foundation, Maharagama Cancer Hospital (SL) and Sevana Lama Nivasa (SL).