Sri Lankans with their families in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and nearby cities in South Africa gathered on 22 April 2023, in Centurion City to celebrate the Sinhala Tamil New Year. The event was organized by a committee in which staff of the Sri Lanka High Commission in Pretoria actively participated.
A notable feature was the organizing committee’s decision to delay the celebration until the Ramadan fasting period ended to enable the Sri Lankan Muslim population in the area to also join – and they did in large numbers.
Following the lighting of the traditional oil lamp, and singing of the National Anthem in Sinhala and Tamil, a traditional breakfast was served consisting of Kiribath, Kavum, Kokis, Athiraha and other sweets.
This was followed by outdoor events for children and adults. Many guests participated in sack races, three-legged races, lemon/spoon races, Banis kama, blindfolded breaking of muttiya, flat and relay races and the popular tug-of-war (Kamba adeema).
Lunch followed the outdoor events which also had a children’s fancy dress parade, and concluded with Sri Lankan baila songs
High Commission of Sri Lanka
Pretoria
09 May 2023
