Under the theme of peace and reconciliation the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Berlin, Germany, celebrated the Sinhala and Tamil New Year with the participation of more than 250 Sri Lankans and German friends at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Berlin on Saturday, 25th April 2015.
The full-day event organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka together with the Sri Lankan Association in Berlin started with the lighting of the oil lamp and the observances by Buddhist and Hindu religious dignitaries. To mark the harmony among the people, cooking milk (kiri ithiraveema) was also held at an auspicious time during the morning. After the religious rites, blessings were conducted by the Buddhist and Hindu clergies.
Starting the event, in his opening remarks Ambassador Karunatilaka Amunugama highlighted the cultural and social significance of the Sinhala Tamil New Year. "This clearly demonstrates the deep-rooted common bond and cultural heritage between Singhalese and Tamils in Sri Lanka. Let us all continue to uphold and cherish that common bond and heritage among us and wish that all our people in Sri Lanka will live in peace and harmony as just one family, Sri Lankan family," he said.
The day on the Embassy premises commenced with traditional games played on this occasion, including blasting balloons, pointing the eye of the elephant, sack race, fancy dress parade, filling water, passing water balloons, lime and spoon race, passing eggs, needle and thread game, musical cap passing, kanamuttiya bindeema, kamba edema, finding the man of the ceremony and others. It can be highlighted that German guests, who attended the event, also participated in some of the games. More than 40 children also participated in the games and enjoyed the event.
All who attended the event were treated to a traditional New Year breakfast consisting of milk rice (kiki bath) with the Sri Lankan sweets munkewum, kokis, welithalapa and peni walalu as well as pure Ceylon tea. A traditional buffet lunch followed.
A prize giving was also held as part of the program at the end of the day. The event was graced with sunny weather throughout the day. With Sri Lankan music, the community celebrated the New Year up to the afternoon creating a new era in the Sri Lankan culture in Berlin.
In his thanking remarks, Ambassador Karunatilaka Amunugama appreciated the support given by the Sri Lankans living in Germany and pointed out that Sri Lankans needed to teach the cultural and traditional practices to the young generation as well. The event concluded well after singing the National Anthem.
Embassy of Sri Lanka, Berlin, 29.04.2015
