The Sinhala and Tamil New Year was celebrated at the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Kathmandu on 21 April 2018 with the participation of the Sri Lankan expatriate community in Nepal and other foreign well-wishers.
The Embassy premises was decorated with National flags and other traditional ornaments. New Year celebrations commenced with the hoisting of the National Flag by Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Nepal, Swarna Perera, followed by singing of the National Anthem and the lighting of the traditional oil lamp.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Swarna Perera highlighted the importance of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year customs and rituals, and said that this important cultural festival brings Sinhala and Tamil communities together. She thanked the Sri Lankan expatriate community and Nepali friends for their contribution towards promoting Sri Lanka’s traditions and customs in Nepal.
The participants took part in traditional Avurudu games, which included marking the eye of the elephant, lime & spoon race, bun eating, tug o’ war, fancy dress etc. Traditional Sri Lankan sweetmeats and lunch were served to the participants.
The ceremony concluded with the distribution of prizes among the winners of Avurudu games.
