Inter-ethnic cultural festival

An inter-ethnic cultural festival on the theme 'Temple - Church Sinhala and Tamil New Year' organized by leaders of all religions will be held at the Mangedara Purana Viharaya and its surroundings on March 30.

This will promote harmony and co-existence among the people of all communities and religions, said program chief organizer and Co-ordinating Secretary to the President Rev Sarath Hettiarachchi.

The prime objective of the program is to celebrate the Sinhala and Tamil New Year and foster unity and communal co-existence.

A large number of Muslims and people from the North and East including 500 Tamil children will participate. It will include several Sinhala and Tamil cultural items.

A number of artistes including Dr Dayaratne Ranatunga and Prof Amara Ranatunga will join Sinhala and Tamil children in singing. Teams of folk singers will also present musical items under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Department.

Information 071-8220910, 077-2072348 or 035-3951806.