New Year Celebrations 2016 ,Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Manchester

A memorable Sinhala and Tamil New Year Celebrations was held on Sunday 24th April 2016 at the Manchester Health Academy, Moor Road Brooklands, Manchester M23 9BP. Approximately 200 Sri Lankan families from all over the North West of England and other neighbouring areas such as Stoke-On-Trent, Leeds, Liverpool and Sheffield witnessed this colourful event.

This year, Ketumati Buddhist Vihara invited his Excellency Mr. Sugeeswara Gunarathna, the acting Sri Lankan high commissioner for United Kingdom as the chief guest at the New Year celebrations. The acting High commissioner delivered a very interesting speech about the cultural value of Sri Lankan New Year. He also added his congratulations for all the achievements of Ketumati Buddhist Vihara.

The proceedings started with religious observances and lighting of the traditional oil lamp, while the Jayamangalagatha was being recited by the children of Ketumati Dhamma School In the morning, after the midday meal, the actual New Year celebrations began. The audience were entertained with traditional songs, music, drama and games performed by the adults and children. Afterwards, the traditional Sri Lankan food Kevum, Kokis etc was served and enjoyed by all.