Sri Lankan Study Center for Advancement of Technology and Social Welfare Inc, Victoria, Australia (SCATS)
The story begins with a group of Sri Lankans in Victoria who founded Sri Lankan Study Center for Advancement of Technology and Social Welfare in 1991.
Our Objectives
* To study and transfer appropriate technology to Sri Lanka, to introduce new economic activities & improve productivity and conserve the physical environment.
* To take steps to sustain the beneficial Sri Lankan cultural traditions among the Sri Lankand in Australia and to promote the Sri Lankan culture.
* To organize continuing education & social welfare activities for the benefit of Sri Lankans - men, women, children, elderly & the youth - living in Australia through discussions, seminars, lectures, workshops and other media.
* To provide resources and basic needs/information to the Sri Lankan residents & students arriving in Australia.
* To undertake research on topical issues such as immigration, employment, social integration etc.
* To introduce a ‘Student & Youth’ exchange programme’ between Australia & Sri Lanka.
* To assist in establishing a ‘Cultural Exxchange Programme’ between Australia & Sri Lanka.
* To commemorate events of National importance in Australia and Sri Lanka.
* To establish a “Sri Lankan Study Center” for the use and benefit of Sri Lankans living in Victoria.
Our Acheivements
Education & Training
* Advisory & Assistance program for VCE students (1991 to date)
* ‘Introduction to Computers’ training program for unemployed. - 1992/93
* ‘ Job Ready’ program for the unemployed - 1993/94
* Essay, Art & Oratory competition for Children and youth - 1993/94
* Lectures and talks on various Current and topical issues (1993 to date)
* Management Training lecture series ( 1994/95)
Community Services & Social Welfare
* Establishment of the ‘Scats Youth League’(1993/94)
* Youth & Sports days(93/94) and Youth Art Festival by Scats Youth League(95 September)
* International Women’s day Celebrations(94/95) and Women’s Forum on contemporary issues of Migrant Sri Lankan Women and Career Development (95 Oct)
*Cultural Pageants/Annual SCATS Cultural Show(1993 to date)
* Awards Ceremony - Recognition of skills and acheivements of children and youth(1993 to date)
* Wesak Village Program - first time in Melbourne(1993 & 94)
* Interstate and international affiliations(1995) to extend services of SCATS to Sri Lankans in other regions
* Establishment of a Regional Study Centre at Sunshine (1994)
* Donation of Toys to Children’s Hospital in Sri Lanka (1994)
Technolgy Transfer Projects
* Establishment of SCATS, Sri Lanka(1994 Dec)
*Provided assistance to Sri Lanka in formulating strategies and standrads in Environment Conservation , Air Polution (1994) through SCATS, Sri Lanka ( 1994 to date)
* Undertook studies and provided assistance in improving small scale brick and pottery industies in Sri Lanka(1993/94)
* Donation of Tertiary text books to libraries of Sri Lankan Universities(1994/95) and secondary books to schools. Second shipment of new & used tertiary books, was sent in 1997 to University of Moratuwa, University of Peradeniya and University of Kelaniya.
* Initial research and assistance in introducing new mushroom varities to Sri Lanka in collaboration with
CISIR,Dhrmawijaya Foundation and SCATS - Sri Lanka.(1994 to 1996)
* Donation of used computers to Sri Lankan schools. Two shipments were sent to Ministry of Education in 1997 and 1998.
Programme 1997 -2001
* Comprehensive Computer/Information Technology education programme Sri Lankans living in Victoria, Australia
* Extension of the Technical & Professional Expertise Database among Sri Lankans professionals worldwide
* Extension of SCATS Network to all states in Australia and other countries in terms of affiliations. Sydney Centre was inaugurated in Feb 98.
* Donation of Books (stage 3) to schools in Sri Lanka in collaboration with LACNET.
* Research support and introduction of new techniques to on-going research projects in Sri Lanka such as
'Technology for Rural Areas' & " Commercial Products from Agricultural Waste'
* Introduction of new apropriate technology to small scale industries in Sri Lanka where feasible
* Provide expertise in Environment Protection & Waste Management in Sri Lanka.
* SCATS World Wide Web page - first Sri Lankan Community WWW page in
Australia, exposing Sri Lankans to internet - Information Superhighway, established in 1996 and plans are there to increase the information and news content.
* Annual cultural show and Young Art Festival
* ‘Rasa Kalasa’ variety programme - cultural, education and fun for sharing 'Rasakatha' and 'Rasakavi'
* To introduce a Sri Lanka Day(Cultural)
* Women’s programmes , forums and workshops on various issues and establishment of support services to Sri Lankan migrant women.
* Assistance to VCE students and provide information/assistance to students arriving in Australia.
* Project/Quality Management workshops
* Membership drive
Programme for 02/03 - More information will be announced later. We would like to see wider participation within our community
SCATS Executive Committee 02/03
1) Chandra Weerakoon- President
2 Dr Senake Perera- Vice President, Co-ordinator - Fund Raising Projects
3) Dr Cyril Kariyawasam, Secretary
4) Nirmalal Dias - Assistant Secretary
5) Ms Nelum Perera - Treasurer
6) Don Udawatta - Assistant Treasurer
7) Dr Priyantha Mendis - Chair Person- Technology &
Education Committee
8) Lionel Nawagamuwa - Public Officer
9) Gamini Perera - International Relations
10)Wasantha Perera - Co-ordinator- LRH Appeal Project
11) Priyantha Fernando
12) Nimna Rupasinghe- Co-ordinator- SCATS Youth League project
13 Donald Perera
14) Wimal Jayakody, co-ordinator, Legal aspects and community awareness
15) Lionel Nawagamuwa - Co-ordinator, Finance matters
16) Gamini Maharage - Co-odinator - Technology Applications
17)Prasanna Kurukularathne
18) Shyamon Jayasinghe
19) Wellington Molligoda
20) Sunil Pushpasiri
21)Pathum Tilakasiri
22) Mala Rathnayake -Co-ordinator - Welfare activities
23) Kularathne Rathnayake - LRH Fund Raising Activities
* Come and find the sense of satisfaction and self-fulfillment that only serving others will bring
* Come and be a leader
* Join us in spreading SCATS services to the world
How to contact SCATS in Victoria?
Write to us:
Sri Lankan Study Center for Advancement of Technology and Social Welfare Inc.(SCATS)
GPO Box 4229 NN
Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia
Or send an email to 1)Dr Priyantha
Mendis
2) Wasantha Perera
SCATS TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
Go back to SCATS Sri Lankan Community Home Page
Last update - 02/12/98