Sinhalese and Hindu New Year celebrated in Ottawa, Canada

The Sri Lanka Canada Association of Ottawa (SLCAO) celebrated the Sinhalese and Hindu New Year on April 16 at the Ottawa Hellenic Meeting and Reception Centre, on a grand scale. The event was well attended by more than 400 participants the majority of whom were the Canadians of Sri Lankan origin. The chief guest of the event was the Sri Lanka High Commissioner in Canada Chitranganee Wagiswara.

In keeping with the time-honoured tradition the celebrations began with the lighting of the traditional oil lamp symbolising prosperity and continued with the singing of the national anthems of Sri Lanka and Canada.

In the picture (clockwise) Venerable Brahmanagama Muditha Thera, Abbot of the Hilda Jayewardenaramaya of Ottawa, Sri Lanka High Commissioner in Canada Chitranganee Wagiswara, Senator Mac Harb, Mayor of Ottawa Jim Watson, Priyanka Alwis the President of Sri Lanka-Canada Association Ottawa, Piya Gamage the first president of the Sri Lanka-Canada Association Ottawa. Pic Vishan Seneviratne.

The welcome address was delivered by the President of the SLCAO Priyanka Alwis. Extending a warm welcome he said, "the dawn of the Sinhalese and Hindu New Year is a time of great joy which comes soon after the harvesting season of Sri Lanka, and the bounties of the farmers are full, and the elated people have compelling reasons to celebrate the event".

He added, "that this year's New Year is of special significance to SLCAO for two reasons. First, the much endeavoured peace is now prevailing in Sri Lanka between the two major ethnic groups in the country, Sinhalese and Tamil, and it is now growing in strength after the war. The second reason is that this year the SLCAO is celebrating its 35th Birthday after rendering yeoman service over the years, especially to Canadians of Sri Lankan origin, promoting sports, cultural events and strengthening unity amongst our diversity".

The Sri Lanka High Commissioner in Canada Chitranganee Wagiswara, in her speech, conveying her best wishes to everyone said, "this occasion is also an opportunity to experience and enjoy some of our traditions, customs and rituals together with our families and friends, especially renewing our bonds and friendship among our multi-ethnic sections of the Sri Lankan Society".

Among the other speakers were Venerable Brahmanagama Muditha Thera, Fr. Romesh Lowe, Senator Mac Harb, Mayor Jim Watson, MP Pierre Poilievre, past first president of SLCAO Piya Gamage. Talented young artists of many dance groups performed folk dances, classical dances and traditional vannam dances. These dances were choreographed and trained by Malithi Tissera, Yasangi Tissera, Rukmal Gunasekara, and Suwini Wijeywickrama. There was also an eye catching children's Fashion Show which was organized by Ishara Amerasekara.

Initially the participants were treated with the traditional Avurudu sweetmeats like kiribath, kavun and kokis. At the end of the celebrations the participants were treated to an array of Sri Lankan dishes served in buffet style.

The vote of thanks was proposed by Rohana Marakawatta, the Vice President of the SLCAO. He wholeheartedly thanked every one for their participation at the event and a special word of thanks was extended to those who volunteered their time and talents to make this event a success.