It was a beautiful April morning at Woodley Park in Van Nuys and Sri Lankans around Los Angles gathered together to celebrate the Sinhala & Tamil New Year. Every year the Sri Lanka Association of Southern California organizes this grand event with avurudu games, food and color. It was a time to celebrate the dawn of the new year. It was also a time for kids to show off their skills. The event began with everyone gathering around hearth to witness the milk boiling over from the pot, symbolising prosperity.
After enjoying a traditional meal, children showed respect to their elders by offering sheaves of betel and elders blessed them. Avurudu games were next and then the performances by groups of various ages. The youngsters of Sri Lanka Foundation Performing Arts Center performed “Raban Pada” led by their instructor Lal Thilakarathna. Everyone enjoyed a day full of Sri Lankan food, traditions, games. Later Avurudu Kumari, Avurudu Kumaraya, Sigithi Kumari & Kumaraya were crowned.
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