Aaranchi - May 2015

SunFest 2015 – New Year Celebrations by Sydney Sri Lankans

Last Sunday the 19th of April, the most important cultural event of the Sri Lankans was celebrated in grand scale. Many Sri Lankan community organisations in NSW joined hands with The Sinhalese Cultural Forum of NSW (The SCF) to organise this grand event.

Sri Lanka Association, Sanka Ridma Dancing ensemble, North Parramatta Sinhala School, Blacktown Sinhala School, Minto Sinhala School, Peradeniya University Alumni Association of NSW, Jayawardenapura University Alumni Association of NSW and Old Girls Association of St Pauls contributed to this event. The Hills Shire Council and Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation also supported this event. More than 3000 people gathered to Castle Hill Showground to witness this memorable event.The event was inaugurated with the singing of National anthems of Sri Lanka and Australia. Ms Shehara Wijayapala,the vice president of the ‘Tharuna’ youth group of the SCF welcomed the invitees and the audience, which was followed by lighting of the traditional oil lamp.Sydney’s Sri Lankan community had the very rare opportunity of seeing a ‘Kamatha’ in Australia on that day. It was the product of the remarkable work of Somaratne Uvage and Nihal Rupasinghe.

The Writer’s Guild of the SCF headed by Dr Cicil Fonseka helped in performing traditional cultural rituals that have been protected and passed through many generations. President of the SCF Mr. Indu Premathileka addressed the audience outlining the importance of protecting our unique identity through honouring our proud heritage,followed by serving of traditional Sinhalese New Year Festival food to the attendees.

All the fun-filled activities started after such formalities. Kids were seen having a fun-day taking part in many traditional New Year games. As winners and some participants received presents delighted faces could be seen all around the play ground. These New Year games-of-fun have been organised by the collaborative of Minto,
Blacktown and North Parramatta Sinhala Schools with the assistance of Mr. Roshan Siriniwasa, the Vice President (Education) of the SCF. Adults games were co-ordinated by Shantha Wanigathunga.

Although the melodious call from Asian Koel (Koha) and sound of crackers were missing, all hearts of the Sri Lankans in there were taken back to our motherland, Sri Lanka by the sound of Raban keenly organised by Minto Sinhala School and Sanka Ridma dancing ensemble.

This year more food and variety stalls could be seen around the ground. The SBS Radio that help promote ethnic languages in Australia engaged with the crowd through their own stall. There was also a book stall for the benefit of book-lovers in Sydney.

Mr. Indu Premathilaka and Ms Shaheara Wijayapala shined as the Masters of Ceremony during the evening cultural show. The show kicked-off with a ‘Fancy dress parade’ where children dressed as various characters seen in Sri Lanka and were making cute and funny speeches, sinking the audience in laughter.

This was followed by the presentation of the April issue of the ‘Sinhala’ magazine of the SCF. Mr. Manjula Wettasinghe, Ex Vice President (Media) of the SCF gave a brief description of the 25 year history of the ‘Sinhala’ magazine. He invited the current Vice President (Media) Mrs. Malee Dissanayake and the Editor of the ‘Sinhala’ magazine to ceremonially present the first three copies of the ‘Sinhala’ magazine to Mr. Indu Premathilake (President of the SCF), Mr. Nimal Ratnayake, a past president of the SCF and Mrs. Chandrani Buddhipala (Marketing Manager), as a gesture of gratitude for their ongoing support for the publishing of the ‘Sinhala’ magazine.

The spectacular cultural show organised by the SCF Cultural Sub-committee headed by Mr. Upul Padukkavidana started to flow from there. Sydney’s popular Sri Lankan Singers and dancers showcased their tremendous talents to the appreciation of the audience.

Vote of thanks was delivered by Ms Shehara.

The SCF media team would like to thank SBS Radio, Ozlanka, ‘Pahana’ and ‘Sannasa’ newspapers, Vidura media, Derana TV, iRadioCeylon, RCBTV, NPSS and Blacktown Sinhala School web sites and Lanka Cube for providing media sponsorship for the event and to Senura Jayasekara who did videography for Sri Lanka Rupavahini Co-operation.
Official photographers for the event were Robin Bosco and Pearlie Wijesinghe.