The vibrant traditions of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year came alive on the 30th of April 2025 at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, as students and staff gathered for the much-anticipated Awurudu Uthsawaya.
The event was filled with cultural flair, traditional games, and heartfelt celebrations, reflecting the unity and harmony among the university community.
The Chief Guest was the Vice Chancellor Rear Admiral HGU Dammika Kumara.
Organized with great enthusiasm, the celebration showcased the rich cultural heritage of Sri Lanka through a variety of activities such as kana ‘mutti bindeema’, tug of war, ‘onchilla paddima’, and many more traditional New Year games.
Students from various faculties enthusiastically participated, adding energy and colour to the occasion.
The event showcased the multi ethnic values of Christianity, Muslims and Hinduism as well.
The event was skilfully compered by a talented group of students representing different faculties and languages.
The Sinhala compères included Yasanga Harisinghe and A.A.S. Hansani Karunaratne from the Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities (FMSH), as well as H. Saneer from the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences (FAHS).
English compering was handled by MAF Akeela from the Faculty of Medicine (FOM), and H. Saneer also contributed in English, showcasing bilingual versatility.
The students are part of the Executive Committee and members of KDU Comperes’ Club under the guidance of its advisor- professional host Dr. Dhinesha Perera.
This multicultural and multilingual celebration served as a reminder of the shared values and collective spirit that bind the KDU community.
It was not only a celebration of tradition but also a moment of joy and fellowship, reinforcing the values of unity, respect, and renewal that Awurudu symbolises.
