The Embassy of Sri Lanka, together with the Sri Lanka – China Economic, Education, and Cultural Association (SCEECA), organized the “Beijing Soorya Mangalya” on 16 April 2023 at the Embassy in keeping with the rituals, customs and tradition. Over 250 invitees, including Ven. Dr. Bodagama Chandima Nayaka Thero and his disciples, the Sri Lanka community and students, and Chinese friends, attended the event.
The event began with the traditional lighting of the New Year lamp, boiling of milk, serving traditional sweetmeats, Avurudu games, in particular, tug of war, kana muttiya, musical chairs and the crowning of the Avurudu Kumaraya and Avurudu Kumari.
Avurudu rituals were observed enabling the invitees to observe elements of the Sri Lankan culture and to bringing a little bit of Sri Lankan culture to Beijing. The invitees were later treated to Sri Lankan delicacies including traditional sweetmeats and lunch.
Ven. Dr. Bodagama Chandima Thero invoked the blessings of the Triple Gem on the country and the people of both countries, and performed the ritual of anointing oil.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona extended warm Avurudu wishes to all present. He said that Sri Lanka is hoping that the reopening of China will result in many Chinese tourists visiting Sri Lanka. He expressed appreciation that Sri Lanka is in the list of 20 countries for Chinese outbound tours. China was the main source of global tourists in 2019.
The Ambassador expressed hope that more Sri Lankan products, in addition to Ceylon black tea, will be able to enter the lucrative Chinese consumer market. Tourism and trade will contribute tremendously to reviving Sri Lanka's economy and also provide the much-needed impetus to uplift the livelihood of many who are dependent on tourism and small-scale agriculture. The Ambassador also encouraged Chinese conglomerates to invest in the Colombo Port City.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Beijing
23 April 2023
