Sinhala and Tamil New Year

On April 14, students of the Sri Lankan National Union celebrated Sinhala and Tamil New Year, the main spring festival in Sri Lanka. It symbolizes the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the agricultural cycle, and traditions include rituals, sweets preparing and games.

The celebration began with an official ceremony of honoring guests and offering greetings. This was followed by the lighting of candles, symbolizing the blessing of festive events.

All present were offered traditional sweets: Kavum (butter cakes), Kokis (crispy cookies), Aluwa (rice flour sweets), Athirasa (sweet cake) and Mung Kavum (green candies).

Guests also enjoyed traditional Sri Lankan dances and songs.

Then came traditional Sri Lankan games, which always help to strengthen bonds between students: smashing clay pots blindfolded, a sack race, a game of “Draw the Elephant’s Eye” and tug-of-war.

New Year is a vibrant holiday for Sri Lankans, symbolizing renewal, prosperity and cultural unity.