Sri Lankan Community in Bahrain Celebrates Sinhala and Tamil New Year with Traditional Fervor

The officials of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Bahrain, along with as much as over one thousand Sri Lankans attended the event. The day commenced with National Anthems, dance items performed by the children of the Sinhala School and the welcome speech delivered by Mr. Lakmal De Silva on behalf of the organizing team.

This was followed with a drama on the preparations and traditions of the New Year celebrations which was performed by the children of the Sinhala School, followed by breakfast table which comprised of the main Sri Lankan food items that are served during the New Year Celebrations. The much awaited children’s games in three age groups such as keeping the eye on the elephant, breaking the pot, lime and spoon race to name a few kept the enthusiasm and excitement for the children during the event.

A few adult games were added to keep the traditional feeling among all. The celebrations concluded in the evening with the crowning of the Avurudhu (New Year) Prince and Princess competitions and the awards ceremony. Overall been many miles away from home, the Sri Lanka Club, Sinhala School and Sri Lankan Engineering Society in Bahrain were able to give the expat Sri Lankan community in Bahrain, a feeling of the traditional home atmosphere here in Bahrain.