News 1st celebrates Avurudu with the people of Digannawa

Colombo (News 1st): This year, News 1st celebrated the Sinhala and Tamil New year with the villagers in Digannawa, Kotawehera of the Kurunegala District. This year Avurudu celebration was named "Sathkoralayata Avurudu, News 1st Avurudu Udanaya". Blessed with rich fertile paddy fields, Digannawa is a rural village with poor facilities, located between the districts of Kurunegala and Puttalam of the North Western Province. This year, news 1st celebrated the Sinhala and Tamil New year with the villagers of Digannawa, at the Digannawa Devamitta stadium in Kotawehera. The event was held with the participation of locals from 20 villages, including Kotawehera, Digannawa, Kumbuk Weva, Nugannoruwa, Guru Pokuna, Nambadewa and Dematawe. Avurudu celebrations commenced this morning, with an open, standard bicycle race. Hiran Pasidu from the Sri Lanka Army emerged the winner in the 115 km bicycle race. P.M.K Thennakoon and Ashmika Herath won the men's and women's' marathon respectively. The inauguration ceremony was held under the patronage of Group Directors of The Capital Maharaja Organisation, Chevaan Daniel and S.C.Weerasekara. The event was attended by several guests including the Superintendent of Police of the Nikarawetiya Police division. Forty traditional avurudu games such as Weaving Coconut Leaves, Kotta Pora, climbing the grease pole and egg catching took place in line with today's event. S-Lon's Kevili Gammanaya caught the attention of everyone present here today. News 1st's Avurudu Udanaya also included an avurudu sweet treat preparation competition while a volleyball tournament was held throughout the event. Several games had been organized for the children, while an Avurudu Kumaraya and Kumariya was also chosen among the little ones. The final contest of today's Avurudu celebrations was selecting the Avurudu Kumaraya and Avurudu Kumariya.