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A New Year festival
organised by the Venerable Keppetiyagoda
Gunawansa Maha thera, chief monk,
resident monks and devotees of Jethavana
Buddhist Vihara Birmingham was held on a
sunny Sunday afternoon in Birmingham on
19 April. The programme began at 1.30pm
with traditional Sri Lankan New Year
games in which young and old alike
participated.
On their arrival, Chief Guest HE the
High Commissioner Justice Nihal
Jayasinghe and Mrs Jayasinghe were
welcomed with a flower bouquet presented
by two children from the local
community. Venerable Keppetiyagoda
Gunawansa Maha thera gave an opening
speech, then the traditional oil lamp
was lit by Venerable Keppetiyagoda
Gunawansa Maha thera, HE the High
Commissioner and other invited guests.
The diverse programme was hosted by Mr
Chanaka Dissanayake and saw colourful
performances, including singing and
dancing from children in the local
community. Speeches were heard from HE
High Commissioner and Senior Deputy
Manager of Bank of Ceylon, Ms WA Nalini
who highlighted many new investment
opportunities in Sri Lanka.The festival
was sponsored by Sri Lankan Airlines,
Bank of Ceylon, Duke’s Court Travel,
Phoenix Academy, Prime Properties and Dr
Hewa Vitharana. A 5-prize raffle was
drawn in aid of the Jethavana Vihara,
the 1st prize being a return ticket to
Sri Lanka donated by Sri Lanka Airlines.
Among the guests were Deputy Director
Central Bank of Sri Lanka KMM
Siriwardane, Deputy Manager Central Bank
of Sri Lanka Ms LM Pavithri Vithanage,
Manager Bank of Ceylon UK Mr Siril
Madadeniya and Manager Sri Lanka Tourist
Board UK Mr Sanjika Perera.
The Sky High Band from London thrilled
the audience with Sri Lankan music and
baila bringing the audience to their
feet. Guests artists included Sunil
Wimalaratne and Sunil Bernard Perera.
Band Leader, Manjula Munasinghe
presented a £100 donation to the
Jethavana Buddhist Vihara on behalf of
Sky High Band. Venerable Keppetiyagoda
Gunawansa Maha thera of Jethavana
Buddhist Vihara Birmingham thanked
everyone who sponsored and supported the
New Year festival. |
