The true meaning of Aluth Avurudu with Chef Publis at MLH

Saturday, 31 March 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

This is a celebration – one of a kind held in great reverence in Sri Lanka alone: Sinhala and Tamil New Year is an annual event that stimulates society, enlivens the nation and fosters national consciousness in Sri Lanka. The festival is celebrated mainly by the Buddhists and the Hindus. Now Christians too participate in New Year celebrations as this highlights the authentic customs that are synonymous to the event rather than the religious attributes and thus it has become almost a nation-wide festival.

There is no way that the Aluth Avurudu ought to be treated casually. The traditional customs will take place on 13 April which Chef Publis will conduct starting from 7.20p.m. Hence herald in Avurudu at one of Sri Lanka’s oldest and most important surviving colonial buildings in Sri Lanka. A substantial history covering 200 years and holding a very important place in the historical records and heritage of Sri Lanka, Mount Lavinia Hotel would like to welcome you to revel in age old traditions at the hotel this avurudu season.

Intricate preparations with the preparation of very traditional Avurudu treats as kavun, kokis, mun kerali and the kiribath or milk rice signifies the very essence of Avurudu in terms of food which will be one of the many events that will be highlighted on this day.

“And why not pay some attention to the multitude of sweet aromas that will flow from the hotel’s kitchen when Chef Publis will cook up some authentic Sinhala Avurudu dishes with the traditional customs that will be observed throughout the hotel,” states MLH General Manager Anura Dewapura.

Our Avurudu starts from 14 April with the whole family partaking in traditional games like the following will take place on the beach: Kotta Pora, Kana Mutti, Blind feeding the blind, Sack races,

Kabadi, Slow bike races (bring your own bike), Gama haraha diveema, Olinda, Pancha, Avurudu Kamaraya and Kumari, Obstacle races, Bun eating comp, and other traditional activities.

Dewapura added, “We will set up a ‘Publis’ Kevili Kade’ from 9 to 13 April that will have Sinhala and Tamil New Year treats made by Chef Publis himself. Raban players will be present a few traditional dance items. Traditional sweet-meats will be prepared on site, and placed on a traditional ‘kevili mesaya.’ There will be other traditional beverages like Yaara tea, Beli Mal, Ranawara, Saruwath, etc. that depicts Avurudu in all its glory will be yours to experience on this day.”

Throughout the day many colourful, agile and rhythmic dance movements and drumming will keep your toes a tapping. Traditional games and customs will be observed and indeed Sri Lanka’s quintessential festive foods will be available in all its authenticity at the hotel.