Naval Dockyard, Trincomalee comes alive with Sinhala and Hindu New Year Festival

The Sri Lanka Navy, in collaboration with Siyatha TV, organized a grand celebration for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year Festival at the Naval Dockyard, Trincomalee on 22nd April 2023. The event was graced by Commander Eastern Naval Area and Commandant Volunteer Naval Force, Rear Admiral Dammika Kumara, as the Chief Guest.

The festival kicked off in the morning of 22nd April with a cycle race from Kantale to the Naval Dockyard and a marathon in the Naval Dockyard premises. The Sanday Bay Beach in the Naval Dockyard premises provided great amusement to those who attended the festival, with New Year games, traditional and cultural events, dancing items and an Angam display, creating a festive atmosphere. The fun-filled Sinhala and Hindu New Year Festival drew to a close with a vibrant musical show held at the Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda Auditorium. Popular artist in the show performed a mix of traditional and contemporary music, captivating the audience to the music of the Navy Band.

Apart from a wide range of customary New Year games which promoted Sri Lanka's rich cultural heritage, several rowing and swimming events unique to the Navy were also held in a spirit of unity and harmony. Those who won these games received cash prizes which were made possible by Voice of Asia Network, Dialog Axiata PLC, Ceylon Biscuits Limited and other sponsors. Naval personnel and their family members showed keen interest in taking part in the New Year games.

The cash prizes for the first places in cycling (Rs. 50,000), marathon (Rs. 30,000) and marathon - women's (Rs. 30,000) were won by and Leading Musician EDMP Edirisinghe, Leading Infantryman KMGCU Laksiri and Woman Able Physical Training Instructor GBHB Dharmasri respectively. Meanwhile, Midshipman KNT Perera and Ms RRD Dilmi Rathnayaka won the first places in men’s and women’s sea swimming, by winning cash prizes of 25,000 each.

In addition Able Seaman MWK Madushan and Ms Samadhi Thathsarani Senavirathna were adjudged the Aurudu Kumara and Kumariya of the New Year Festival and they both won cash prizes of 50,000 each.

Senior officers, naval personnel and their family members from the Navy Headquarters and Eastern Naval Command, officials from the Voice of Asia Network and sponsors of the event were also present on this occasion.