• They are Dr Anne Perera from Auckland, Athula Wanasinghe and Sandun Kithulagoda from Wellington

In the New Year Honours List 2024 published by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet of New Zealand, there are names of three Sri Lankans, Dr Anne Perera from Auckland, Athula Wanasinghe and Sandun Kithulagoda from Wellington.  

Anne Doloras Perera of St Johns, Auckland, received the award for her services to food science and nutrition and the service to the community. I feel really humbled and honoured to be on this elite list to be recognized as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit,” she said.   

Athula Cuda Bandara Wanasinghe, JP, has been awarded with The Queen’s Service Medal for his services to the Sri Lankan community and cricket.  

From the day Sandun Kithulagoda moved into New Zealand he was busy with serving his community. He has been an active member of the United Sri Lanka Association (USLA) Wellington branch and became its President from 2013 to 2016. For 25 years Sandun has been the programme director of Lakhada, the popular radio station that creates fortnightly programmes connecting the Wellington Sri Lankan community.