Sinhala Tamil Avurudhu revels in Canberra

The Australia-Sri Lanka Association under the Presidency of  the first time joined together with the Sinhala Cultural Association to mark the Sinhala and Tamil New Year by hosting a day of food, fun and frolick  on April 13, this year at the St. Judes Primary School in Canberra.The hitherto unusual coming together of two Sri Lankan associations was further appreciated in the backdrop of the peace talks and in the spirit of cooperation and reconciliation. 

Chief guests at the traditional celebrations were Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to Australia, Major General Janaka Perera and Madam Wajira Perera. Distinguished invitees included legislative assembly members and other VIPs.

Over 400 people gathered to celebrate the traditional new year and home sick Sri Lankans were able to partake of the usual Kiributh, Lunu Miris, Kevum, Kokis and other sweetmeats including yellow rice with all its culinary accompaniments during lunch time. The crowd eagerly joined in to play the traditional avurudhu games like kotta pora, kana muttiya and hisa thel gema.