Ale Avrudu 3.0

Ale Avrudu 3.0 was a remarkable project organized by Rotaract Club of University of Colombo Faculty of Management and Finance (RACUOCFMF) in partnership with the Rotaract Club of Mumbai Jewels (RACMJ) under the International Service Avenue. The project aimed to foster cultural exchange by celebrating unique traditional festivals from each country and, most importantly, sharing these celebrations with children in a children’s home. This marked the third consecutive year of the event, with a focus on Sinhala and Tamil New Year festivities in Sri Lanka. The project kicked off with its first phase, hosted by RACUOCFMF at the Maithree Children Development Centre in Borella on 26th April 2025. The celebration began with the traditional ‘Kiri Ithiraviima’ ceremony, involving the children and staff of the home. Following the ritual, everyone gathered around the Avurudu Kavili Table, and the event was officially launched with the symbolic lighting of the oil lamp by esteemed guests. A welcome speech was then delivered by Mr. Aruna Serasinghe, the Secretary of the Children Development Centre.The Kavili Table was adorned with traditional sweets such as kiribath (milk rice), kavum, kokis, aluwa, cake, biscuits, and bananas, which the children thoroughly
enjoyed. The cultural celebrations began with a lively dance performance by the children to the song “Don Jin Jin Don Tharikita”, setting a vibrant tone for the rest of the event. This was followed by a series of traditional Avurudu games, including eye-to-elephant, hat passing, lime on spoon, balloon blast, and best laugh. The children also performed another dance for the song “Chiki Chiki Bom Bom”, showcasing their joy and enthusiasm. After a lunch break, the final sessions commenced. A moving performance to the song ‘Master Sir’ by one of the staff members beautifully captured the spirit of unity and compassion. The Avurudu games resumed with eating buns, musical chairs, balloon dance, and best cry, drawing laughter and excitement from everyone. The children then performed their final dance for the song “Me Avrudde”, reflecting the essence of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. This led to one of the most anticipated events of the day—the selection of the Avurudu Kumariya. The children showcased their talents through acting, dancing, and singing, making it a tough call for the judges. Ultimately, five places were selected in the Avurudu Kumari competition, and the title of Maithree Avurudu Kumariya 2025 was awarded amidst much celebration. Prizes were distributed to the winners of each game, and every child received a gift pack, ensuring that no one left empty-handed. Additionally, gift packs were given to the home staff as a token of appreciation for their support and care. Just when the day couldn’t get any better, the joy reached new heights with toffees handed out to all and a surprise DJ dance session that transformed the venue into a celebration of music, movement, and pure happiness. The children danced their hearts out, their laughter echoing through the halls and leaving everyone with unforgettable memories. Thus, Ale Avrudu 3.0 came to a joyful close, a shining example of how love, culture, and humanity can bridge every divide. As Rotaractors, we reaffirmed our belief that every individual is precious and deserves to be celebrated. With hearts full of hope and dreams of even greater impact, we bid farewell to this year’s Ale Avrudu, already looking forward to the magic we will create together in the years ahead.