Sinhala and Hindu New Year celebrated in China

The Sri Lankan community in Beijing, Tianjin and Wuhan celebrated Sinhala and Hindu New Year in keeping with traditions and customs of Sri Lanka while paying tribute to the fallen heroes who largely contributed in safeguarding the motherland.

The Sri Lankans living in Beijing with the patronage of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Beijing organised an event at the Embassy premises on April 11 in celebration of the Sinhala and Hindu New Year.

The day's event was attended by over 150 guests including the Sri Lankan community in Beijing and nearby provinces, students, the defence officials who are on training in Beijing as well as a number of well-wishers and the Chinese friends of Sri Lanka.

The celebrations began with the singing of the National Anthem and hoisting of the flag. Traditional customs and games coupled with cultural items performed by the young and the old, added colour to the event.

The children who attended and the winners of various games were presented with New Year gifts. In keeping with the Sri Lankan tradition, all were treated to a traditional meal with 'avurudu' sweetmeats.

Sri Lankan Ambassador invited the South Asian envoys, their family members and the staff of the Embassy, to his residence on April 15 morning to enjoy a special Sri Lankan breakfast with traditional sweetmeats before the commencement of work for the New Year. Over 450 Sri Lankan students of the Tianjin University organised a special Avurudu celebration on April 19 at the University premises. Ambassador Amunugama, Vice President and the Dean of the Tianjin University were among the special guests. Kotta pora, Tug-o-war and avurudu kumara/ kumariya therima were some of the favourite items among the many traditional games organised for the day.

All Sri Lankans living in Beijing and Tianjing in keeping with the true spirit of this traditional festival, were united as one nation, fostering friendship and brotherhood among the members of the community.

The Association of Wuhan Sri Lanka Students also organised a Sinhala and Hindu New Year celebration together with the participation of over 100 members of the Sri Lankan community in Wuhan on April 12.

Ambassador Amunugama appreciated the efforts of the organisers in arranging such events, which depict the traditional values among the Sinhala and Hindu communities of Sri Lanka, which would be passed down to the younger generation. Ambassador further stated that it is important for all Sri Lankans, immaterial of their ethnicity, to get-together to celebrate this New Year, specially at a time when the people of our country are united in hope and anticipation of an era of lasting peace and prosperity.