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

Sinhalese New Year, or Aluth Avurudhu, is one of the most significant cultural festivals celebrated in Sri Lanka and around the world. It's a time of great joy and celebration for the Sinhalese people and a time to seek blessings for the year ahead. The festivities for the new year last for several days and include a range of cultural activities such as lighting oil lamps, playing traditional games and preparing special foods. It's an opportunity for the Sinhalese community to display our 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's also a time for families to come together and celebrate the start of the new year, with traditions and rituals that have been passed down for generations. I encourage my colleagues and my constituents to join in celebrating Sinhalese new year and take the opportunity to learn more about the cultural richness of Sri Lankan Australians. Once again, happy new year to the Sinhalese community in my electorate of Holt and across Australia.

Suba aluth auruddhak wewaa—may this festival bring peace, prosperity, and happiness to you all.