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Saturday, 11 April 2015 01:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Sri Lanka Association Central Japan (SLACJ) in Nagoya, in collaboration with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Japan, staged its Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations on 5 April in Nagoya in the presence of a large number of Sri Lankans, domiciled in the prefectures of Aichi, Gifu and Mie, as well as Japanese and other foreign nationals.
The Charge d’ Affaires of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Japan Dr. Saj Mendis graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
In his opening remarks, SLACJ President Dr. Arunasiri Iddamalgoda stated that the Sri Lankan community domiciled in the vicinity of the city of Nagoya had unstintingly worked to make the Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations a resounding success.
During his address he thanked all those who had worked to make the celebrations a success, including sponsors who had contributed generously.
Dr. Saj Mendis in his address stated that one of the unique features of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year is that the two largest ethnicities in Sri Lanka celebrate the holiday together, adhering to traditional customs and beliefs.
He added that today Sri Lanka had entered a new era in its history and Sri Lankans domiciled in Japan could make a significant contribution to and impact on the economic and political landscape and tapestry of the country, thus realising the country’s national objectives.
Professor Ananda Kumara, former President of the SLACJ and a senior professor holding dual positions at the prestigious Tokyo Institute of Technology (TIT) and the Meijo University, stated that Sri Lanka was blessed with abundant natural resources, which could be utilised to elevate it to the status of a rapidly-developing nation. He stressed the fact that Sri Lanka had an illustrious past and questioned why it could not have an equally impressive present, given its educated workforce, strategic geographic location and rich natural resources as well as its entrenched democratic norms and tenets, rule of law, justice and good governance.
Professor Kumara has conducted extensive research, particularly on the health benefits of the vegetable Snake Gourd (Pathola), which was renamed Ceylon Gourd and is now the latest vegetable which Japan imports from Sri Lanka. At the celebration, Professor Kumara presented a copy of his new publication entitled ‘Ceylon Gourd Recipe Book’ to Dr. Mendis. The Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations featured a number of traditional games for adults and children. The entire crowd was entertained by a Sri Lankan musical group and traditional Sri Lankan dancers. The highlights of the celebration were the tug-of-war and Avurudu Kumari beauty pageant. Sri Lanka-based media group Hiru covered the festivities in Nagoya. All those present at the event did not let the inclement weather in Nagoya dampen their spirits.
