The Sri Lanka Indonesia Friendship Association (SLIFA) was inaugurated in June 1992 on the initiative of His Excellency the late H. Suprapto the then Ambassador of Indonesia. The first President was Mr. Joe Karunaratne. We have, to a large extent fulfilled our objectives, namely that of promoting closer cultural, social and trade relations between Indonesia and Sri Lanka. In as much as the Embassy is the official arm of Indonesia, SLIFA has been the unofficial instrument through which aims and objectives of our two countries have been realized.

Our methods have been to organize cultural shows, food fiestas, Get-togethers, picnics, film shows, and newsletters and so on whereby the people of Sri Lanka have been brought in close contact with the arts and crafts, music and dance and every aspect of the variegated culture of Indonesia. To this end, the Embassy has cooperated whole heartedly in all our activities and supported us both morally and financially. The biggest boon has been the provision of a place for us to hold our meetings at the Riptaloka Hall.

The highlights of the 30 year period in our history has been the 50th anniversary celebrations of Indonesia, the visit of a cultural troupe from Aceh, the inauguration of the office complex at Bauddhaloka Mawatha, performance of Balinese dancers, donation of school bags to flood affected schools in Kalmunai, donation of dry rations to families who were affected by the financial crisis in Sri Lanka and reactivating the publication of the SLIFA newsletter. The launching of a separate website for SLIFA in September 2015 is another milestone in our history.

We are happy that we have had the most cordial relations with each and every Indonesian head of mission during the history of our organization, with his Excellency the late H. Suprapto, their Excellencies : Junizar Jacub, Mohammed Saleh, Sudargo Mangunwidjojo, Djafar Husein and current Ambassador Harimawan Suyitno, Charge’d Affairs Madam Hermien Suwarno, Mr. A. Boentarman, Mr. Yohanis Kambuwaya and Mr. Nugroho Setyadie and numerous other officials, one and all of whom have been excellent Ambassadors of Indonesia. SLIFA has also been fortunate in having the closest cooperation and assistance from Dharma Wanita, the Women’s organization of the Embassy Staff. Lately a ladies club of the SLIFA was formed and this gathering of ladies carried out a successful fund raiser project “Morning Breeze” in November 2014.

It is also to be mentioned that the predecessor of SLIFA, the Ceylon Indonesia Friendship Association was in existence in the fifties established in 1956 by His Excellency J.D. de Fretes, Charge’d Affairs at that time and one of our former Presidents B.D.K. Saldin was one of its members.