Indulge in the Delight of Special Avurudu Sweets – Asmi-by Kalani-eLanka As the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, commonly known as Avurudu, approaches, Sri Lankans across the island are gearing up to celebrate the dawn of a new year with an array of customs and traditions. Central to these celebrations are the culinary delights that grace every household during this festive season. Among the myriad of traditional sweets that adorn the Avurudu table, one delicacy stands out for its unique flavor and cultural significance – Asmi. Asmi, a quintessential Avurudu sweet, encapsulates the essence of tradition and familial bonds. Its preparation is not merely a culinary exercise but a ritual that binds generations together. The process of making Asmi involves patience, skill, and love, passed down through the ages from mothers to daughters, grandmothers to grandchildren. The ingredients for Asmi are simple yet exquisite, comprising rice flour, coconut milk, jaggery ...

Read More →

Celebrating Awurudu Jana Krida: Embracing Tradition through Sports-by Kalani-eLanka As the Sinhala and Tamil New Year dawns upon us, the air becomes infused with the spirit of festivity and tradition. Among the vibrant customs and rituals that mark this auspicious occasion, Awurudu Jana Krida, or New Year Sports, stands out as a celebration that brings communities together in joyous competition and camaraderie. Awurudu Jana Krida is not just about athletic prowess; it is a reflection of our rich cultural heritage and the values of unity, cooperation, and fair play. From rural villages to bustling cities, people of all ages eagerly participate in a variety of traditional games and sports, reviving age-old customs passed down through generations. One of the most anticipated events of Awurudu Jana Krida is the ‘Kotta Pora’ or the traditional pillow fight. This exhilarating contest sees participants balancing on a wooden beam while attempting to knock down ...

Read More →

Avurudu: A time of transformation-By Pramod de Silva Source:Sundayobserver The Sinhala and Tamil New Year is all about transition. Astrologically, the reason is the transit of the Sun from Pisces (Meena) to Aries (Mesha). Traditionally, it marks the season where farmers and others pay homage to the Sun for a bountiful harvest, which gives them new hopes. In other words, a period of transition in their lives, a sort of renewal and transformation. The roots of the traditional New Year go back thousands of years. In fact, Oriental cultures have based their calendars – and daily life – around the movements of the Sun and the Moon for millennia. The festival is based on the fact that the Sun gives us life. Our food is literally made by the Sun through the process of photosynthesis, which is really the basis of all life on Earth. Thus the New Year traditions ...

Read More →

Embracing Tradition: Sri Lanka Prepares for Sinhala and Tamil New Year-by Kalani-eLanka As April unfolds, the vibrant island nation of Sri Lanka eagerly gears up for one of its most cherished celebrations – the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. This auspicious occasion, which falls on April 14th each year, is a time of immense cultural significance for both the Sinhalese and Tamil communities. Steeped in tradition, this festival not only marks the beginning of a new year but also symbolizes unity, harmony, and the rich tapestry of Sri Lankan heritage. Preparations for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year commence well in advance, with households undergoing thorough cleaning and decorating to welcome the dawn of a fresh year. Traditional sweetmeats such as ‘kavum’ and ‘kokis’ are meticulously prepared, filling the air with the tantalizing aroma of spices and coconut. Shopping for new attire, exchanging gifts, and engaging in acts of charity ...

Read More →

eLanka Newsletter – 27th March 2023 – 8th Edition Sri Lankans in Australia Click here or on the image below to read this week’s elanka Newsletter The Passion of Christ ….. A unique presentation by the Sri Lanka New South Wales Catholic Association – By Aubrey Joachim Aurudu Nakath 2024 – in Sinhala ( සිංහල අවුරුදු නැකත් චාරිත්‍ර ) TEST CRICKET IN THE LIMELIGHT AS AUSTRALIA-INDIA RIVALRY GROWS Exercise (walking) is a powerful medicine for daily life. – By Dr Harold Gunatillake Two Twin Hundreds by Dhananjaya & Kamindu create history for Lanka – By Michael Roberts MEDIA RELEASE – International Cricket Schedule for Season 2024-25 Announced Sophie Molineux makes dream return as Australia seal ODI series The World in Turmoil – Ecologically; Spiritually; Economically; and Politically. – By Noor Rahim International Cricket Schedule for Season 2024-25 Announced THE ROYAL COLLEGE THAT NURTURED ME – by Lorenz Pereira Line dance ...

Read More →

A night out at Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya. – By Dr Harold Gunatillake Website: www.Doctorharold.com My wife and I thought that Nuwara Eliya would be the best place to be during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festive seasons. We started the trip, along with my nephew’s family on the 15th of April, the day after the auspicious New Year’s Day, and drove through the curvy uphill roads, viewing the most spectacular sites, the wavy lofty hills. Our first stopover was in Ramboda at the Tea Bush Hotel, a spot where every passerby stops to view the beautiful scenery, including the Kotmale Dam in the distance. It is a wonderfully comfortable hotel to stay in or for a quick cup of tea on your way. Good food, kind service with courtesy, and comfortable rooms. The next morning we were on our way to Nuwara Eliya. We passed through the Ramboda ...

Read More →

Athugalpura Negam Waruna 2023 | ඇතුගල්පුර අවුරුදු නෑගම් වරුණ Lyceum Kurunegala and Boyagane School Successfully Organized Collaborative Sinhala and Tamil New Year Celebrations, Uniting International and National Education Systems”. Lyceum International School, Kurunegala, in collaboration with Boyagane School, successfully organised a Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebration on Sunday, 2nd April 2023. This event was the first of its kind, where an international school collaborated with a national school. ...

Read More →

Avurudu Koha sings more this time – By Yohan Perera Source : dailymirror The sound of Asian Koel (Koha) is a familiar feature when it comes to Sinhala and Tamil New Year period when one focuses on nature. This is other than the blooming of Erabadu flowers and bearing of fruits. The sound of Koha is said to be more frequent this year, an environmentalist said. Environmentalist Jagath Gunawardene told Daily Mirror that the sound of the Koha is heard more frequently this year. “It was observed that the bird’s sound began by end of March this year. The sound was more frequent as they started nesting around that time,” he said. “The frequency increased as the days went by and it has reached the peak as of now. The high frequency of the bird’s sound will continue for about five days. Sound will continue till end of this month though ...

Read More →

Sinhala and Tamil New Year – By Donald Gunatillake Source :  Queensland Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – April 2023 Most countries in the world celebrate January 1st as the day a New Year is born. However, there are some other countries that adopt different calendars. For Sri Lankans, the month of April is generally regarded as the dawn of the traditional New Year. This is the period farmers reap their harvest from paddy cultivation, and fresh seedlings for the next cultivations are grown in hundred thousands acres of land across the country showing patches of greenery everywhere. Vegetables and fruits are available in plenty, flowers in bloom. Aluth Avurudu was something we used to look forward to, both as children and even as adults. This was the occasion where everyone enjoyed the festivities steeped in tradition. Traditionally, the much-awaited New Year is welcomed by lighting firecrackers at the auspicious ...

Read More →

An a island country located in the Indian Ocean ” Sri lanka” – By Malsha – eLanka Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an island country located in the Indian Ocean, off the southern coast of India. The country has a rich cultural heritage and a history that spans over 3,000 years. The capital and largest city of Sri Lanka is Colombo, which is located on the west coast of the island. The country has a population of approximately 21 million people, with Sinhalese being the largest ethnic group, followed by Tamil and Muslim communities. Sri Lanka is known for its beautiful beaches, lush tropical forests, and ancient Buddhist temples. It has eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the ancient city of Anuradhapura and the Sigiriya rock fortress. The economy of Sri Lanka is primarily based on agriculture, with tea, rubber, and coconut being some ...

Read More →