Sri Lankan new year celebrated

Hansi Pavithra Gamage performs the traditional Sri Lankan dance Kandya to celebrate the Sri Lankan new year at the Sargood Centre in Dunedin yesterday.

Dunedin Sri Lankan Society president Susil Gunathilake said the new year — which was officially on April 14 — was the biggest cultural festival in Sri Lanka and it would be celebrated for days.

Following tradition, sweet treats such as milk rice and oil cake were served at the celebration yesterday.

Mr Gunathilake said it was awesome to share the day with the tight-knit Sri Lankan community, with people from as far as Milton attending.

The day featured performances from the University of Otago Sri Lankan Students’ Association and traditional Sri Lankan games.