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“SEWA” also known as the Sri Lankan Elders' Welfare Association in Victoria Australia functioning from the John Pandazopolous Public Hall Doveton celebrated the traditional Sinhala/Hindu New Year on Monday 16 th April 2007 .

The celebrations commenced with the opening of the traditional Sinhalese New Year Table of sweetmeats and the milk rice especially prepared for the occasion with kevun, kokis, kesel, taking the pride of place. Amid the beating of the ‘Magul Bera' the traditional oil lamp signifying the harmony and the continuous light and illumination of togetherness for another year to follow was lit by our President Tissa Amarasekera. Every one present dished out a plate and enjoyed together.

Thereafter the elders' participated in the traditional Sinhalese New Year games. The first in line was the placing of the eye to an elephant. This event was won by George Kulasekera. The next item was musical chairs. It was successfully completed by Swarna Abeysekera. President and Rubi Wickramasinghe judged the Awurudhu Kumari contest. Manel Karunasagara was adjudged the Awurudhu Kumari. By the courtesy of Dinna Liyanarachchi Sales Manager Cilve Peeters Ringwood a SEWA Associate member valuable prizes were given to the winners.

This was followed by group singing, ably conducted by Sita Kulasekera and duly assisted by Graham Ferdinand with his harmonica.

A special feature in this year celebrations were that we had a special guest from Sri Lanka the famous dancer Padmini Dhanayaka (Ariyadasa)who entertained the crowd with a colorful dance to the tune of Sanath Nandasiri's song Koho Koho. This won the hearts of every one and was the best item for the day.

When I walked to the lunch table I could not believe my eyes, my thoughts ran to the Awurudhu lunch table my mother use to lie at home. This table was not second to that; I could not keep a count of the things that were there. It was fabulous. Thank you Food Committee.

It was a memorable conclusion of another flawless event ‘SEWA' could add to the chain of activities it does for the elders'. How well we enjoyed was what every one had to say. ‘SEWA' is looking forward for such comments. ‘SEWA' wish to thank Ranjith and Rubi Wickramasinghe, Padmini Dahanayaka and her husband, Chandreen Ariyadasa their son a chef by profession who helped with the cooking, Dinna Liyanarcchchi, Our Social Secretary Manel Karunasagara for a job well done, Food Committee led by Beryl and all other members who contributed to make this a success.

Justin Weerasooriya
Secretary-SEWA