Ambassador Mahinda Samarasinghe, and staff of the Embassy celebrated Sinhala and Tamil New Year at the Embassy premises on 15 April 2023.
In keeping with the New Year traditions, the celebration began with lighting the hearth and boiling milk amidst rhythmic beats of drums, Raban play, followed by lighting of the oil lamp and conducting religious observances.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Samarasinghe highlighted the importance and the cultural significance of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, and how it underscored the diversity that is part of the social fabric of Sri Lanka.
Upon completion of Avurudu rituals and customs, the Avurudu Table was open, filled with traditional Sri Lankan sweetmeats and milk rice, the first meal of the New Year. Traditional Avurudugames were also held reminiscing Sri Lankan culture and way of life. The Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York and family members of the staff at the Embassy also participated.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Washington D.C.
18 April 2023
