April is a very significant month for Sinhala and Tamil people since this is the month we have our New Year celebrations.
Even though Sydney is more than eight thousands kilometers away from the motherland the festive spirit reached the city on 10 th April 2011.
Around 1000 excited Sri Lankans from NSW gathered at the Roselea Community Centre Carlingford on the day to participate in the Sinhala and Tamil new year celebration in Sydney.
As has been the practice over the years this annual event was organised by number of Sydney Sri Lankan organisations. This year these organisations were Sinhalese Cultural Forum of NSW (SCF), Ceylon-German Technical Training Institute Old Boy's Association of NSW Inc (CGTTI-OBA), Society for Peace, Unity and Human Rights in Sri Lanka NSW Inc (SPUR), Sri Lanka Study Centre for the Advancement of Technologies and Social Welfare NSW Inc (SCATS), Feel For Life Association Inc, (FFL) and Alumna NSW University Of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJA).
The morning session commenced with the lighting of the traditional oil lamp by the chief guests, Sri Lankan Consul General in Sydney Mr. Dayasiri Fernando, SCF pioneer winner of order of Australia Dr. Don Wickrama and Professor Hema Wijewardana of University of Wollongong. Presidents from the organising Associations and the coordinator of the event Mr. Jayasiri Liyanapathirana were also there to light up the lamp.
The guests were welcomed by Mr. Walter Jayakody. And a very talented young son greeted the guests with a beautiful “Avurudu” song.
This was followed by providing all the attendees a breakfast full of traditional Sri Lankan food and sweets such as milk rice, kavum, kokis and cake.
Then all the traditional games were started for the kids and adults. The colouring competition was held inside the centre and afterwards the outdoor activities started. Running events for the kids and adults, draw an eye on an elephant, breaking the hanging pots blind folded, popping balloons were some of the fun activities.
Through out the whole day guests were able to buy traditional Sri Lankan food and drinks. With the rainy weather settling organisers were able to provide more fun and amusements to the attendees by holding musical chair competitions and other events in the main hall area. Award presentation for the winners from competitions was also held during this time.
The evening started with the fancy dress parade and Avurudu Kumara, Kumari parade. Welcome speech for the cultural and musical event was given by Mr. Wijaya Hapukotuwa followed by wonderful Sri Lankan traditional dances, Bollywood dance and Bharatanatyam performed by young talented kids. Audience were treated with a very lovely musical show performed by well-known Sydney Sri Lankan musicians. A raffle draw was also held during the musical show.
This wonderful day came to an end with loud singing of national anthems of Sri Lanka and Australia
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