Melbourne’s Sri Lankan community will ring in the new year this Sunday, with more than 1000 people expected to descend on Sassella Park in Deer Park.
The event will celebrate the April 1 Sinhalese and Tamil New Year, a significant event on the Sri Lankan cultural calendar that has been celebrated for more than 2000 years.
In Sri Lanka, it marks the end of the harvesting season.
One of the organiser’s, Vishva Gunasekara, said it would be a great family day that would bring the community together.
“One of the main objectives of this event is to improve social harmony and the understanding between the citizens of Australia with a Sri Lankan background and the wider Australian community,” he said.
The festival, named Aurudu Udanaya, will include a multicultural show, dance, music and traditional Sri Lankan games.
The day will kick-off at 9am with a traditional Sri Lankan breakfast at the park, Station Road, Deer Park.
