New Year Celebration at (Heathrow Vihara) Athula Dassana Multi Cultural Buddhist Community Centre 26th of April 2014

The Sri Lankan New Year Celebration organised by the Athula Dassana Multi Cultural Buddhist Community Centre was held at the Hounslow Lampton School, Lampton Avenue, Hounslow, TW3 4EP on 26th April 2014. Venerable Wanduramba Kassapa , Head of the Centre welcomed the gathering followed by a lecture based on Sinhala New Year in Sri Lanka

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New Year games took part under the guidance of Mr Bandara Wakadapola with the help of committee members of the temple. There had around 50 games which were related with the New Year. Not only for the younger generation but also games for any age limits.  Everyone enjoyed participated in the Traditional Sri Lankan New year games such as breaking the clay pot in blindfold, sack race, spotting the elephant’s eye, blowing balloons, pillow fights, guessing the amount of  seeds in a Papaya, were very popular with the games on the day. And also many adult games were also held.

Distinguished guests lit the traditional oil lamp and prizes were handed to the winners by the games. Mr.Neville De-Silva- Deputy High Commissioner, Mr.Sepala Rathnayaka from The High Commission of Sri-Lanka as well as The Mayor of Hounslow – Mr.Sachin Gupta Local Councillors attended.

The distinguished guests who addressed the gathering stated how pleased they were that within this short period of time a young high priest of the UK Ven Wanduramba Kassapa was able to organise a successful New Year festival for the Children and Elders in this Country. They were very much appreciative of this event and gave many thanks for the organising committee of the temple.

The prize giving ceremony and cultural show started at 6.00 PM, all the guest were bought to the Audience hall whilst the ceremonial dancing was being played.

The Athula Dassana International Buddhist Temple Dancing group lead by Roshan Lute, with his group presented items highlighting the New Year of Sri Lanka. And also The children of the Dhamma School, participated in several events of this programme. The distinguished guests appreciated the music and dancing abilities of the Dhamma school children’s.

All the visitors had a chance to buy Sri Lankan foods such as Kaum, Kokis, Mun Kaum, and other sweets.

The main sponsors of the event were Estetica Dental Clinic and Stargo Green Autofit. They gave us great support to achieve success in the event.

For the New Year Celebration Festival, more than 750 visitors came to enjoy the Sri Lankan events and also taste the Sri Lankan foods.

Maheshi Kokila, Achini, Thisara Wijegunawardane and Chanuka Samarakoon were the commentators of the festival since the morning.

Ven Wanduramba Kassapa Thero Wish all A Happy, Healthy and Prosperous and Peaceful New Year.