AN air of celebration, accompanied by music and cultural performances, filled the banquet hall as the close-knit Ceylonese community gathered for the Malaysian Ceylonese Congress (MCC) Biannual Fellowship Dinner 2026 at the Rainbow Paradise Beach Resort in Tanjung Bungah today.
Among the notable guests were Madam Tan Lean Kee, wife of Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, and State Muhibbah Council chairman Tan Sri Dr Yusoff Latiff, accompanied by Puan Sri Suziwati. They were welcomed by MCC (Penang Branch) chairman Datuk Dr Parameshwaran and his wife Datin Mala, along with organising chairman Lathachini Sivanisam.
Also present were MCC secretary-general Amaravathi Navaratnam, treasurer Vijaya Raj Vijaya Singham, and Magandran Muthiah, an exco member of the Federation of Malaysian Sri Lankan Organisations.
In her address, Tan highlighted MCC’s steady growth since its establishment, noting that membership has expanded from 60 members to 124 today.
“MCC Penang is more than an association for the Ceylonese community to gather, strengthen bonds and celebrate its rich cultural heritage.
“It has played an active role in the State Muhibbah Council, promoting harmony and unity while working closely with other council members to foster intercultural understanding and goodwill among Penang’s diverse communities,” she said.
Tan also commended MCC Penang for organising its annual Women’s Day and Mother’s Day celebrations, recognising the contributions of women to society and the vital role of mothers. She added that MCC Penang’s involvement in charitable and community support initiatives reflected its strong commitment to compassion and social responsibility across communities.
Expressing hope for the future, she said MCC Penang should continue to evolve with the times while empowering its youth to carry forward the community’s legacy in education, public service and the professional fields, even as it preserves its heritage and culture.
She said the fellowship dinner was both a celebration of the Ceylonese community’s past contributions and a reflection of its continued role in shaping Penang as a model of harmony and cultural pride.
Thanking MCC (Penang Branch) for the invitation, Yusoff Latiff said the Penang Ceylonese Congress is a member of the State Muhibbah Council, which was established on Nov 22, 2003, to foster unity among Penang’s multiracial communities.
He said the council has consistently upheld the values of goodwill, unity, harmony, tolerance and mutual respect among Malaysians of diverse races, religions, cultures and customs, which he described as pillars of the nation’s success.
Yusoff Latiff also reiterated the call by the late Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia’s first prime minister, for Malaysians to respect one another’s rights, beliefs, cultures and customs.
“The Tunku often emphasised the importance of mutual respect and sensitivity to the needs of our multiracial society in building unity, well-being and prosperity for the country,” he said.
Dr Parameshwaran said MCC Penang would continue to participate actively in programmes organised by the State Muhibbah Council, strengthening friendship and cooperation among Penang’s diverse communities.
He noted that under Yusoff Latiff’s leadership, minority communities have been given due recognition and opportunities to showcase their role in the state’s progress.
Dr Parameshwaran also said the present generation has a responsibility to keep the torch of their forefathers burning and pass it on to the next generation.
“It is our duty to instil in our children the importance of Ceylonese culture while continuing to uphold unity among the races in our country,” he said.
Meanwhile, Amaravathi, speaking on behalf of MCC president Mahendranathan Thuraiappah, praised the MCC Penang Branch for consistently organising meaningful activities and rendering valuable service to the community.
She said MCC headquarters was proud of the branch and its members, who have continuously supported its initiatives.
“At the headquarters level, we are actively upgrading our digital services and are in the process of setting up our own portal. All branches will progressively go digital, particularly in member recruitment and the dissemination of information,” she said.
Magandran shared his experiences from a recent visit to Sri Lanka and screened a video highlighting the damage and hardships faced by communities following severe floods.
Guests were treated to a mix of cultural performances and contemporary songs throughout the evening, while lucky draw prizes added further cheer to the celebration.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Muhammad Iqbal Hamdan