Sinhala and Tamil New Year 2014 Celebrations

Opening Ceremony

Playing of the Rabana

Opening remarks by Nalaka Gunawardhane Emcee for the evening

Lighting of the Oil Lamp
Magul Bera by Dhanuja Senaweera

Ven. Kekanadure Hemalankara Thero, Chief Sangha Nayake for Canada
Pandith Bhavani Shankar  of Hindu Temple Ottawa
Mr. Roshan Fernando, President of SLCAO
Mr. Lional Premasiri, Acting High Commissioner in Canada for Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

His Worship Jim Watson, Mayor for City of Ottawa
Ms. Jan Harder, Councillor for Barrhaven for City of Ottawa
Mr. Steve Desroches, Councillor for Gloucster and South Nepean
Mr. Dulip Mahanama representing the Hilda Jayewardanaramaya Buddhist Temple Ottawa
Mr. Viresh Wickramasinghe representing, Ottawa Theravada Buddhist Vihara

National Anthems sung by Children

Welcome Speech by the President of SLCAO – Roshan Fernando

   Speech by Mayor Jim Watson

Religious Remarks by Chief Sangha Nayake for Siyam Nikaya in Canada,Ven. Kekanadure Hemalankara Thero  representing the Theravada Buddhist Temples in Ottawa

Religious Remarks by Pandith Vivek Kumar Sharma  of Hindu Temple of Ottawa

Drums - Rhythms and Vibrations
To usher this evenings cultural program we have Drums Rhythms and Vibrations
A typical classical Sinhalese orchestra consists of several categories of instruments such as drums, wind and string instruments.  Of these the drum precedes the other instruments.  Without it there will be no dance.  The drum beat may seem simple of the first hearing but it takes a long time to master the intricate rhythms and vibrations.  You are about to witness the efforts of our youth to carry forward that rich cultural tradition and the performers are
Buwaneka Wijesinghe, Yalina De Silva, Kasuni dD Silva, Nikeshala Galagedara, Dhanuja Senaweera, Sadev Amararathna, Prasith Wijeweera, Nushaine Ferdinand, Kehan Perera, Sineth Fonseka, Methira Herath, Hasith De Alwis, Yevin Warnapura, Lanka Bamunukula, Gevin Weerakonda
Choreography by: Nimal De Silva, Nayana De Silva, Kumudu Amarasinghe, Renuka Subasinghe & Udaya De Silva

Speech by the Acting High Commissioner for Sri Lanka, Mr. Lionel Premasiri

Sri Lanka Piri Avurudu - Performed & choreography by Melanie Ratnayake

Speech by Deputy Mayor Steve Desroches

Gamen Nagarayata – This dance is comprised of Sri Lankan folk and freestyle choreography.  Musical artists are Mr. W.D. Amaradewa and Mr. Amal Perera.  Choreography by Suwini  Sulochana Wijayavickrama
Performers: Christeen Joseph, Nethul Fernando, Noella Ferdinand, Nushaine Ferdinand, Senesa Jayasuriya, Sethuni Imbulgoda, Sean Joseph, Vihangi Wijerathna, Deelaka Appuhami

Me Avurudu Kale - Is a folk song sung by a well-known artist, Lionel Ranwala.  It glorifies every aspect of what New Year's means to Sri Lankans; the music, the food, the joy and the hope of the upcoming year.   Choreography by Yasangi Tissera
Performers: Emma Alwis, Naomi Sandarage, Neha Kurera, Chehan Marakawatta, Cineth Marakawatta, David Alwis

Jana Gee (Folk song on Avuruddu) - A song that describes the New Year traditions.  It also includes excerpts of songs when playing the raban and Onchili Waaram.  Choreography by Rukmal Gunasekara
Performers: Onaya Perera, Uvini T. Kalansuriya, Binath M. Kalansuriya, Viruni R.Kalansuriya, Diliksha Fernando, Sashi Dasanayake, Diliksha Fernando

Pata Pata Mal – Children are like blooming flowers, rays of rising sun, butterflies who gives
 colours to the rainbow, drop of water from a waterfall. Beautiful childhood does not know the
 differences between races, skin colours and cast. This song is from Siri Parakum Movie and sung
 by Rohana Weerasinghe.
Kiyara Kurera, Isurini Wijesinghe and Iruni Weerakoon are going to present a dance about colourful and carefree childhood choreographed by Nilantha Karunarathne.

Nakshatra – Choreography by Natalia Fernando
Performers: Natalia Fernando, Diana Soosai, Alita Fernando, Nivedha Mathiarasu

Iren Haden - It is a famous children’s song from the film Sooriya Arana.  Talks about children and their world.  Inviting you all to immerse in the happiness that the sun, the moon, the trees and the rivers bring you.  And pleading all of you to care for and to protect animals and forests.  Choreography by Maheshya Mahanama & Chathu Mahanama
Sung by: Chathu Mahanama
Performers: Annika Mayor, Vinuthna Dittakavi, Kushal Jayarathna, Seth Wickramasingha,
Seyla Wickramasingha, Thinaaya Mahanama, Chathu Mahanama

Than Thin Thilaka Nadin – Hip Hop dance creation to popular ‘Kawadi’ music of Sri Lanka Sung by Nihal Nelson.  Choreography by Nikeshala Galagedara
Performers: Evan Wickramasinghe, Tharusha Herath, Tharindu Weerakoon, Chanthika Jayatilake, Yasas Rajapakse, Flavio Kurera, Dylan Wickramasinghe

Chandrumukhi's Raa Raa - The story is about a young girl who is passionate about dancing. She dreams of one day reuniting with her teacher so they can dance the dance of gods.  Choreography by Maneesha Senarath
Performers: Maneesha Senarath & Kavindi Ranasinghe

Ra Ra Ra Bombiye - Let’s keep the real values of Sri Lankan New Year.  Dance created with a combination of the dancing styles of Sri Lankan folk dance and ‘Kapirinna’.  Song by Sunil - Choreography by Renuka Subasinghe
Performers: Sandali Withana, Sanadi Godawatta, Oshara Wijayathunga, Sandali Rajapaksha,
Senya Amararathna, Himeshala Galagedara, Dulika Gamage

Gum Nade - The song depicts a playful dialogue between two young lovers from the Sinhala movie "Rosa Kaele”, sung by Santhush & Umaria.  Choreography by Therika Gayathri Ekanayake
Performers: Sabrina Kurera & Dilina Kurera

Announcements & Presentations

Vote of Thanks by SLCAO VP - Naradha Kodituwakku

Wes Dance - This is a traditional Wes Dance depicting the up country dancing style.   Choreography and performed by Dhanuja Senaweera

Fashion Show - This show exhibits the Sri Lankan cultural traditions of the New Year.  Coordinated by Shalini Gunawardhane, Lankesh De Silva & Maneesha Senarath

DJ Music by Lakshman Dias