The Sydney city was all ready with colour and splendour to host its 2012 Sydney Festival when 150 Sydney Sri Lankans flocked to the magnificent Darling Harbour on Saturday the 7th January 2012 to celebrate the New Year with a stylish dinner cruise.

The main objective of this family gathering was to get to know each other as well as to develop amity among Sri Lankans in Sydney. Over 50 Sri Lankan children were also onboard when the Latino dinner cruise ‘Vagabond Spirit’ sailed away from the King St Wharf at 7.30pm. They were lucky to host few of the inter-state holiday makers also who were there to share the joy.

The event started with the observance of a 30 second silence by all onboard to remember late Mr. Jayasiri Liyanapathirana who passed away in Sydney few days ago.

The 4 hour spectacular fun in Sydney's beautiful harbour was onboard complimented by all night DJ and disco lights and explosive Brazilian dance with a live drum show. The exclusively packed deck with Sri Lankans gave a unique opportunity to play Sri Lankan fast-beat ‘Baila’ music which was also danced to by some crew members, so it does not need to mention how the Sri Lankans onboard went.

The ‘all you can eat’ appetising international buffet dinner was followed by fresh fruit and delicious cakes.

The ‘Lambada’ dance competition for the Sri Lankans placed the cream on the cake. The deck was full of joy and laughter from the start to the end. Competitors who won their give away prices with some embarrassment proudly made the fun event even funnier for the night.

The organisers, Aruna Kodituwakku assisted by Asubodha Siriwardena worked tirelessly to make this event a success and it was a great achievement to have so many Sri Lankans onboard for the first time on a single cruise.

Rumours are already around that they are planning to make this an annual event with few variations in the future. Those onboard would no doubt wish such to be true!