Very active in Southern California

Sondra Wise Kumaraperu was a big name in the local showbiz scene, before she migrated to to America.

She was not only known for her singing capabilities, but also for her good looks which won her the Miss Working Girl contest, held in Colombo.

Sondra performed with several local bands, but, since going to the States, she has branched out into various other fields – with music taking a back seat.

She runs her own pre-school, Pennsylvania Avenue Montessori, works and manages her hair salon, Sondra’s Hair and Nail Salon, and also manages apartment buildings

However, in spite of her heavy workload, the talented lady made her presence felt as the 47th President of the Sri Lanka America Association of Southern California [SLAASC], for the year 2020/21.

The Association serves the Sri Lankan community, in Southern California, and was formed, in 1970, when a few Sri Lankan migrants decided that there was a need for an organization of its kind.

The SLAASC has many ‘firsts’ to its long list of major accomplishments and achievements: Held the first Perahera at Echo Park in Los Angeles, replete with a live elephant. The event was a great success, and was televised live on NBC; produced the first Independence Day celebration; organized the first Sinhala/Tamil New Year celebration.

The SLAASC was also responsible for convincing the Sri Lanka Government of the need for having a Consulate General in Los Angeles.

The first music group, from Sri Lanka, to perform in California, was made possible by the Association – in 1989 at the California State University Dominguez Hills. The group comprised Stanley Pieris, Chitra, and PLA Somapala.

In 1991, Stanley Pieris and Kalashuri Latha Walpola were invited to perform, in California, with the band Fortunes.

The Gypsies and the Marians were also a part of the SLAASC scene.

Some of the events worked out by the SLAASC, on an annual basis, include Thai Pongal (January), Independence Day Celebrations (February), Sinhala and Tamil New Year Festival (April), Iftar [Ramadan] Dinner and Vesak Bhakthi Gee (May), Fundraiser – Hopper Night with live Calypso/Peduru Sajje Music (July), Christmas Carols (December).

Due to COVID-19, and the restrictions imposed by the California Department of Public Health, the Association couldn’t do any of the mentioned events, physically, last year. However, they managed to do Christmas Carols, Thai Pongal and the 73rd Sri Lanka Independence Day Celebrations, virtually.

Sondra Wise Kumaraperu completes her term as President, in April, this year.

“I am grateful to my committee members for all their help, and support, during my time of presidency. I would also like to thank Manilal (Perera) for the beautiful song (‘Island In The Sun’) he did especially for me, for Sri Lanka’s Independence Day celebrations. I have also decided not to run for a second year as I cannot keep up with the workload I already have on my plate.”