Professor Mudiyanse Dissanayake, Message 2025 Athula Dassana Surya Mangalaya London

As the sun marks a new beginning in the traditional calendars of the Sinhala and Tamil communities,

I extend my heartfelt wishes to all Sri Lankans in the UK and worldwide, celebrating this meaningful time of renewal.

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year is not only a passage of time but also a sacred moment in which we pause to reflect, reconnect, and rekindle the values that shape our identity: unity, gratitude, and reverence for nature and one another.

I am deeply moved by the efforts of the Athula Dassana International Buddhist Vihara and the Athula Dassana Multi-Cultural Buddhist Community Centre in the United Kingdom. Their tireless dedication to preserving and promoting the richness of Sri Lankan culture and Buddhist values abroad is a remarkable testament to the enduring spirit of our people. They have become sanctuaries of tradition by gently guiding the younger generations and warmly embracing friends from many walks of life.

As someone raised in the rhythms of Hill Country Classical Dance and now a custodian of that heritage, I understand that culture is not merely inherited; it must be lived, nurtured, and shared. The spiritual and cultural efforts of the Athula Dassana International Buddhist Vihara ensure that the heartbeat of Sri Lanka resonates far beyond her shores.

May this Aluth Avurudu season bring light to your homes, joy to your hearts, and strength to your purpose. Let us move forward, grounded in tradition yet open to the beauty of unity in diversity.

With blessings and metta,

Professor Mudiyanse Dissanayake
Director,
Department of Dancing
Institute of Aesthetic Studies
University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka