Cassandra Fernando (Holt, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Sri Lankan new year, also known as Aluth Avurudda in Sinhalese, and Puthandu in Tamil, is one of the most significant cultural festivals celebrated in Sri Lanka and around the world. It is a time of great joy and celebration for the Sri Lankan people and a time to seek blessings for the year ahead. The festivities for the new year last several days and include a range of cultural activities, such as lighting oil lamps, playing traditional games and preparing special foods. It is an opportunity for the Sri Lankan community to display their rich culture and traditions to the wider community. It provides an occasion for people to come together, regardless of their backgrounds, to celebrate a shared heritage and to promote mutual respect and understanding. It is also a time for families to come together and celebrate the start of a new year with traditions and rituals that have been passed down for generations.

Once again, happy new year to the Sri Lankan community in my electorate of Holt and across Australia. Suba aluth auruddhak wewaa and puthandu vazthukal!