To preserve and promote Sinhala language and culture
About Sinhala Association of Queensland Inc.
Sinhala Association of Queensland Inc is a community-driven organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the Sinhala language and culture. Our mission is to facilitate the celebration of Sri Lankan culture within the wider Australian community, thereby promoting multiculturalism in Australia. Our association is committed to promoting and preserving Sri Lankan culture, including music, dancing, art, and drama, with an emphasis on the Sinhala language. We also provide benevolent relief to disadvantaged people and families in need. One of our key objectives is to advance Sinhala education by operating a school in Queensland to teach the Sinhala language and literature.
Our Objectives
The Sinhala Association of Queensland is dedicated to preserving and promoting the Sinhala language and Sri Lankan culture, including music, dance, art, and drama. We aim to celebrate our culture with the wider Australian community, fostering multiculturalism. Our commitment extends to social welfare, where we strive to improve the health and living standards of needy Sri Lankans through various projects and programs. Additionally, we operate a Sinhala School in Queensland to advance Sinhala education, teaching the language and literature to the next generation.
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To facilitate Sri Lankan culture to be celebrated with wider Australian community to promote multiculturism in Australia
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To promote and preserve Sri Lankan culture including Sri Lankan music, dancing, art and drama with emphasis on the Sinhala language
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To help needy Sri Lankans to improve their standard of health by implementing projects and/ or programs
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To carry out social welfare related activities to improve the living standards of needy Sri Lankans
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To advance the Sinhala education by operating a Sinhala School in Queensland to teach Sinhala language and literature
Humble Beginning of the SAQ
The Sinhalese Association of Queensland Inc. (SAQ) emerged in 1992 from humble yet purposeful origins. Founded during a time when the Sri Lankan community in Queensland was growing, the association was established to address a specific need: providing services in the Sinhala language to Sri Lankans throughout Queensland. In the early 1990s, as more Sri Lankan families settled in Queensland, community leaders recognized the importance of preserving cultural identity and supporting new migrants. The founders of SAQ envisioned an organization that would serve as both a cultural bridge and a support network, helping Sri Lankans maintain their connection to their heritage while adapting to life in Australia. The association began with a small group of dedicated volunteers who organized informal gatherings, cultural celebrations, and language classes. These early initiatives, though modest in scale, fostered a sense of belonging and community among Sri Lankans dispersed across Queensland's vast geography. What distinguished the SAQ from its inception was its commitment to conducting activities in Sinhala, ensuring that language remained a central element of cultural preservation. This focus helped create an authentic space where traditions, customs, and values could be shared and celebrated in their original linguistic context. From these grassroots beginnings, the Sinhalese Association of Queensland has grown into a vibrant community organization, expanding its services and reach while remaining true to its founding mission of connecting Sri Lankans through language and culture.
Our Initiatives
We manage a Sinhala School in Queensland and various groups including a youth group and a seniors group to carry out our objectives. We also form and manage any other sub-groups as needed. We strive to provide necessary facilities, infrastructure, and establish communication channels to achieve our objectives.
Brisbane Sinhala School
The Brisbane Sinhala School is a cultural institution in Queensland, dedicated to fostering and propagating the Sinhala heritage. It provides education in Sinhala language skills and Sri Lankan culture to around 80 students, offering a range of cultural and social activities.
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Senior Circle
This is a vibrant community initiative aimed at fostering an enriching environment for senior members. The group’s activities are designed to promote well-being, facilitate intergenerational interactions, and provide opportunities for volunteering. Regular meetings, featuring shared lunches and singing, are held monthly, creating a sense of camaraderie and joy among members.
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Youth Circle
SAQ Youth, is a dynamic group aimed at fostering Sri Lankan heritage and values among young individuals in Queensland. The group encourages its members to contribute to the economy and work cohesively in mainstream Australian society. Guided by community leaders, the members are given opportunities to excel in leadership roles, enriched by their cultural heritage and knowledge sharing.
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