The Sri Lanka American Association of Southern California presented a special recognition honoring Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard during its Independence Day celebration at the Church of Scientology of the Valley. The event featured a cultural program celebrating Sri Lankan heritage before the association's board and members gathered on stage for the presentation.
This recognition stems from a nine-year partnership between the association and the Church of Scientology of the Valley, where 25 cultural events for the Sri Lankan community have been held. Founded over 50 years ago to foster fellowship and preserve cultural heritage among Southern California's Sri Lankan community, the association has through this partnership learned about Hubbard's legacy in education, literacy, drug rehabilitation, and criminal reform.
According to the association, Hubbard's developments in these fields have brought literacy to millions in the United States and abroad, freed hundreds of thousands from substance abuse, and restored trust in communities globally. In his 1965 article My Philosophy, Hubbard wrote about sharing wisdom and helping others help themselves.
Smithsonian Magazine's 2015 Collector's Edition featured Hubbard as one of the 100 most significant Americans of all time and among the 11 most influential religious figures in American history. Described as living 20 lifetimes in one, he holds the Guinness World Record for most published works by one author and founded Scientology, which maintains his recorded voice in public lectures delivered over 25 years.
The recognition event concluded the evening's celebrations, which emphasized the warm and inclusive nature of Sri Lankan culture. The association's partnership with the church has provided a venue for cultural preservation while introducing members to Hubbard's philosophies and humanitarian work.
For those interested in hearing Hubbard directly, Scientology.tv streams L. Ron Hubbard: In His Own Voice, an original series featuring autobiographical vignettes. The Scientology Network, launched in March 2018 with an introduction by David Miscavige, is available on multiple platforms and has been viewed in over 240 countries and territories in 17 languages.
