Founder of the Ceylon International Film Festival Corporation, Aruni Boteju, launched the Sri Lanka Film Festival this week in Santa Barbara, California, with a tea ceremony. Santa Barbara, the city of arts and culture is considered the Riviera of America, the home of the famous Santa Barbara Film Festival.
Present among the large gathering of guests were the Mayor of Santa Barbara Ms. Cathy Murillo, Hon. Consul General of Sri Lanka Dr. Lalith Chandradasa, Director of Direct Relief International Dean Axelrod, Direct Relief Emergency Officer Chris Alleway, former Deputy Director-General of the United Nations Dr. Nandi Jasentuliyana, President, Sri Lanka America Association Samantha Kurera, Director of Project Management & Publication, Sri Lanka Foundation International, Keshini Wijegoonaratna, Founder of the Sri Lanka Youth Organization, USA Aruni Ganewatta, and Miguel Avilla of the Santa Barbara Hispanic Chamber.