The Embassy of Sri Lanka together with the Sri Lankan Associations based in Berlin organized the Sinhala and Tamil New Year Festival on Saturday 16th April 2016 at the Embassy premises. A large gathering of Sri Lankans and Germans participated at this auspicious occasion.
Ven. Ratmale Punnartana Thero of Hamburg Buddhist Temple and Rev. Kurukkal Shanmugasarma of Bielefeld Hindu Kovil, conducted Buddhist and Hindu religious observations to bless the Sri Lankans for the New Year. While conveying his best wishes for the special occasion, Ambassador Karunatilaka Amunugama also highlighted the importance of multi cultural events of this nature to promote national reconciliation, unity among Sri Lankans and also in continuing these traditions to the younger generations.
A traditional ‘Kewili Table’ was laid and a number of traditional games were organized which included ‘kana muttiya bindeema’, ‘Aliyata ehe thabeema’, ‘Andayata kiri keveema’ and the Avurudu Kumari competition. The event was an ideal opportunity for Sri Lankans to gather and participate as a community in upholding cultural traditions and values.
The participants also enjoyed a traditional Sri Lankan meal and the winners of all events were awarded valuable gifts with the courtesy of well wishers of the event.
Embassy of Sri Lanka, Berlin
19th April 2016
