Sri Lankan community comes together for Aluth Avurudda

MEMBERS of the Sri Lankan community celebrated Aluth Avurudda, or Sri Lankan New Year, on Saturday.

Part harvest festival, part marking of an astrological event and part party, the festivities were organised by the Sri Lankan Australian Association of Ballarat and held in Sebastopol.

“It’s been going on for centuries in Sri Lanka,” said Iruka Kumarage, president of SLAAB. “Sri Lanka is a multi-cultural, multi-religious society but everybody comes together to celebrate the New Year.

“Ballarat Sri Lankans are a true reflection of Sri Lankan society, so everybody’s here today celebrating in harmony.”

Along with the strong turn out from the Sri Lankan community, the event was attended by City of Ballarat councillor Amy Johnson and Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle along with representatives from other multicultural bodies and cultural groups.

Cr Johnson praised SLAAB’s growth and the role in welcoming recently arrived Sri Lankans to Ballarat.

“It’s fantastic to see the Sri Lankan Australian Association grow so quickly to over 100 members in such a short time,” Cr Johnson said. “When people move to a new place it’s certainly helpful to have an organisation such as this to help them settle in and also hold onto some of those traditions that are important to them.”

Ms Settle reiterated those comments and acknowledged the learning experience that taking part in the celebrations like Sri Lankan New Year provided.

“It’s really wonderful to see a group like this come together,” Ms Settle said. “It’s been really lovely to hear the stories from your wonderful young leaders about what it all means and it’s great to learn from you.”

As well as a formal section to the day the celebrations included a traditional boiling of milk to the point of overflowing to signify the start of a new cycle, underpinned by forgiveness.

Attendees also enjoyed cultural activities like Sri Lankan cuisine, games and competitions, music and dance.