The Association of Sri Lankans Living in Indonesia (ASLI) in Collaboration with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Jakarta organized one of the largest gatherings of Sri Lankans in the known history to celebrate Sinhala and Tamil New Year on 05 May 2024 at Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS) in Jakarta.
The event was attended by a large number of Sri Lankans Living in different parts of the Indonesian Archipelago. Delivering his remarks, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Indonesia and ASEAN Admiral Prof Jayanath Colombage highlighted the significance of the traditions of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year and the importance of unity and being together as Sri Lankans. He commended the effort of Sri Lankans living in Indonesia to preserve and promote rich cultural traditions of Sri Lanka. Ambassador Colombage appreciated the commitment of the ASLI and overwhelming support of the Sri Lankan community for organizing the event and being present at the Aurudu Udanaya 2024.
The event commenced with the boiling of milk symbolizing the prosperity and Aurudu table was filled with traditional Sri Lankan sweets such as kavum, kokis, aluva, and milk rice. Aurudu games included tug of war, pillow fighting, marking the eye on the elephant, bursting of balloons and eating buns. The festival was concluded after announcing the Aurudu Kumara and Kumariya.
This was the first Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebration organized after Covid 19 pandemic in 2019. The event was an opportunity for Sri Lankans living in Indonesia to meet one another and also get to know about other Sri Lankans in Indonesia.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Jakarta
13 May 2024
