Sunil de Silva

It was 'Ball Time' once again. Not your western style “Ball” with men in tuxedos as stiff as their upper lips and ladies in evening gowns gliding gracefully yet formal motion to the soft sounds wafting from an orchestra of strings.

This was the Sri Lankans having a 'Ball'. Seductive silk saris draped on sylph like shapes, bejewelled and bangled with pendant ear ornaments, some men in lounge and others in formal wear, a youthful band of Sri Lankan calling themselves “Fusive”spinning out mesmerising music from electronic instruments and the golden throat of the lead singer.

Yes, 2 nd August '08 - a synthesis of two cultures - the formality of a Ball tempered with the flavours of the Orient..

The 'Freshwater Ballroom at the Novotel – Olympic Park was the venue of the Winter Ball 2008, another well planned and exquisitely presented event organized by the Sri Lanka Association of New South Wales.

The minor irritation of a few minutes delay, occasioned by a political party that had lease of the ballroom for the earlier part of the afternoon having overstayed, was soothed by the music of a Chilean Band and by the pre-dinner drinks of wines red, and white, and cool beer in tall glasses.

Aubrey Joachim a past President of the Association welcomed the guests to a grand show. Tables with elegant table décor by Lasha Renugadevan, and gleaming cutlery arranged leaving ample space for the dance floor foretasted the guests to an outstanding night.

A Sri Lankan “Prinz and Prinzess” opened the Ball with a polished performance of music in motion – sadly bring memories of a friend who passed away recently – the late Rama Sellamuttu who with his spouse Sharmini did the honours at so many Sri Lankan dances.

The President Kumar Athulathmudali welcomed the guests, thanked the advertises, the sponsors all those who had helped make the evening a success, the compeer, Ozlanka, helpers, coordinators, the Hotel Staff and the attendees.

Kumar told us that the High Commissioner, His Excellency Senaka Walgampaya PC who was expected to attend the function had to remain in Canberra for urgent official business.

Gracing the occasion were Ms Gothami Indkadahena the Consul General for Sri Lanka, Hon. Laurie Ferguson, Parliamentary Secretary For Multi Cultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Nick Berman the Mayor of Hornsby and Upul Pushpakmara Consul for Sri Lanka.

The Hon. Consul general for Sri Lanka, Gothami Indikadahena conveyed the good wishes of His Excellency the High Commissioner for Sri Lanka.

The dinner was superb, the entrée of Thai prawns and Cajun spiced salmon, with the main Tandoori chicken alternating with Dhufish. Wine with the meal and dessert of Tiramasu and apple crumble and coffee satisfied the inner being.

The youthful Fusive entertainers moved from the nostalgic past to the modern and back again and finally to a baila session with the smoothness of Rolls Royce changing gears. It brought the whole crowd to the floor possibly highlighting the underestimate when laying the dance floor.

The salsa by Dale Joachim and Laree Gadenne was a display of professional elegance.

The auctioneer Aubrey Joachim drew the maximum for the air tickets and the cricket memorabilia including Murali's signatured ball. A raffle draw added to takings to augment the coffers of the Association for yet another year of social service.

Click here to view an album of photos from the event taken by Hiran Kulathilake