SLAMAT was registered and incorporated as a “Non-Profit Association” in May 2002 with the primary objective of promoting unity and harmony among the Sri Lankan Malays domiciled in the GTA and became a key article in the constitution created by its founder members.
The history of the Malays getting together in the GTA goes even beyond 2002. As a matter of fact, the first such gathering occurred in 1992 when a group of enthusiastic Malays in Toronto joined together in organizing a fund-raising dinner dance in 1993, and thereafter, also with the support of the Sri Lankan Moor Community, organized various events in the GTA. The most successful of them was the Malay Cultural Show organized in Toronto, for the first time, on May 03, 1997. Thus it created an interest and momentum in the Malay Community to join together and celebrate which eventually led to the incorporation of SLAMAT – and thus becoming its main representative organization.
Since its incorporation SLAMAT has played a very active and dynamic role in organizing fund-raising events such as our biennial Dinner Dance and Cultural Event for the enrichment and “getting together” of the Members; their families, friends and well-wishers, while at the same time hosting religious programs including Dawah, Annual Iftar etc.
Charitable deeds and assisting other Charitable Organizations in Ontario and in Sri Lanka has formed a very important, integral and acknowledged role that the organization has participated in and continue to do so.SLAMAT also promoted the awareness of the need to spread knowledge about our ancestral history; and our own “Mother Tongue” (Bahasa Ibu) that appears to be in the wane. To achieve this objective it has also become necessary to establish ties and interact with the other Malay communities living in the Greater Toronto Region.
SLAMAT is engaged in promoting unity and building religious, cultural, social and recreational interests among Malays of Sri Lankan heritage. Establishing cultural ties with Malays around the world and helping to promote harmony with all other communities.