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Latest edition: Sri Lankan Community in Staten Island

Episode Details

Original tape date: May 4, 2018. First aired: August 28, 2018.

Staten Island is the least populated borough in New York City, but did you know that it has one of the largest Sri Lankan population outside of the country of Sri Lanka? Nearly 5,000 Sri Lankan Americans have settled here since the late 1950’s. Walk down the Tompkinsville and St. George neighborhood, and you’ll see “Little Sri Lanka” with restaurants, stores, and it’s first Sri Lankan art museum. Asian American Life correspondent Rayner Ramirez meets the first Sri Lankan family who settled in Staten Island, and takes us on a tour of this rich community.

Guest List

Leslie Gunaratne Former Staten Island Resident

Bhante Kondanna Sri Lankan Buddhist Monk, Staten Island Buddhist Vihara Meditation Center & Healing Garden

Nirosha Premasiri Staten Island Resident

Julia Wijesinghe Founder, Sri Lankan Arts & Cultural Museum NY