Romesh Angunawella officiating the ceremony

Two Major Awards

The Excellency's Award

This is the "cream of the crop" award, and it will be for the most outstanding Canadian Sri Lankan of the Year. The candidate takes on a leadership role in his organizations and excels in and outside of his field. The recipient of this prestigious title must also represent the ideal Sri Lankan: successful in his career, renowned and admired in the community, and embodies true Sri Lankan culture.

The Judges will select from the recipients of the seven Most Outstanding Achievement Awards and deem one of them worthy of the The Excellency Award.

Lifetime Achievement Award

The Lifetime Achievement Award is for the outstanding Sri Lankan who has devoted his/ her life or a large part of it to serving the Sri Lankan community here or abroad and has consistently done this all his/ her life.

Specifically we are looking for someone well respected and senior in age (60+) and may excel or serve in any sector (public, private, university, etc). He may also be someone who has financially supported (in a long-term basis) an organization that promotes and uplifts Sri Lankans and is dedicated to that endeavor all his life.

Five Most Outstanding Achievement Awards

Most Outstanding Achievement in Business and Finance

For successful entrepreneurs and businessmen who have established themselves in the finance, sales or trade industry. The candidate could also come from the banking, insurance, investment and accounting industries.

Or as an entrepreneur, he or she may own or manage a Sri Lankan restaurant or business, excel in exporting/ importing goods from and to Sri Lanka, and in the process promotes trade in their nation.

Most Outstanding Achievement in Academics and Research

For outstanding contribution in academics, be it through a comprehensive research, or by uniquely being successful in obtaining an MBA or PHD in a prestigious university here or abroad (e.g. Harvard) and brought pride to the Sri Lankan community. He/ she may also be a professor who is devoted in the field of education.

Most Outstanding Achievement in Real Estate

There are several Sri Lankans who do very well in Real Estate. But we will only award one who has exceedingly surpassed limitations in the sale of properties and of helping new immigrants settle in Canada and get the home of their dreams.

Most Outstanding Achievement in Hospitality and Tourism

For the person who have excelled in the hospitality or travel industry. He/ she also have contributed well to the promotion of the Sri Lankan culture and tourism through organizing trips to Sri Lanka for Canadians to see its beauty. The candidate could work in a hotel, travel agency or in tourism.

Most Outstanding Achievement in Communications and Media

The candidate is exemplar in the communications industry and has valuable contributions. He/ she may be a journalist on paper, on TV or online, an amazing writer/ editor/ author, an experienced marketing head, publicist or events organizer.

Three Special Awards

The Maple Award - Outstanding Humanitarian Work

This award will be presented to an individual or an organization (non-NGO) who has done tremendous work to uplift the spirits of the needy in Sri Lanka. This may also be for outstanding doctors, nurses, caregivers and volunteers who have generously given their time, talent and/ or financial support in treating the poor, the elderly, the sick and the handicapped.

Star Of The Night

The most glamorous award of the gala event, Star of the Night recognizes the Sri Lankan who has “wowed” the world through grace, beauty, charm and exceptional achievements.

The candidate will come from these industries: fashion, acting, modelling, theatre, art, music, dance and other fields in the entertainment industry.

The Sri Lankan Youth of the Year – People’s Choice Award

Athletes, young entrepreneurs and achievers – this is your moment to shine. We invite the youth who have outstanding achievements in sports, music, art or even in business for having the most innovative venture at a young age. Ideal candidate must be under 30 years of age. Parents, guardians, coaches of athletes, etc. – we invite you to enter your children, your budding young athletes and entrepreneurs to be the Sri Lankan Youth of the Year.

How it works: From all the nominations, the Committee will select the top finalists and will post them on the awards website (check out the poll). Once the finalists are posted, everyone from anywhere in the world can vote for their favourite youth. The candidate with the most votes wins the title.

Note: "The Sri Lankan Youth of the Year" Award is the only award where the public can vote. For the rest of the 11 categories, the distinguished board of judges will choose the winner from the list of nominees.