Royal College’s UNESCO Club takes Avurudu to Halfway Home at Mulleriyawa

Sharing the happiness and joy of Sinhala Avurudu or National New Year, the UNESCO club of Royal College, recently launched a project to celebrate the season with the inmates of the Halfway home at the National Institute of Mental Health in Mullleriyawa.

Conducted for the 13th year, the event included celebration of New Year customs and playing traditional New Year games by the inmates of the Halfway home.

The New Year celebration was participated by hospital staff including medical consultants, nurses and members of the minor staff, Royal

College Principal, Sanath Jayalath, Deputy Principal Prasad Weerasiri, staff members including the teacher-in-charge of UNESCO club, Nilanka Nawagamuwa and students from UNESCO Club.

“This is one of the much anticipated events of the Royal College’s UNESCO club and despite all the troubles in the country we wanted to continue this event, sharing Sinhala Avurudu with the patients at the Halfway home,” said Nilanka Nawagamuwa the teacher-in-charge of the UNESCO club. “We have been continuing this for the last 13 years except last year where Covid-19 pandemic prevented us coming here,” she added. Addressing the gathering Principal of Royal College, Sanath Jayalath stressed the importance of celebrating Sinhala

New year at a place like the Halfway Home. “Those who are undergoing treatment here are part of this society and it is important that we share the joy of this season with them.”

“Even though I had some other engagement today, I thought to be here is more important,” the Principal added. He also thanked the teachers and the children of the UNESCO club for organising the event and said “the UNESCO Club is one of the pioneering children’s organisations in the school." Dhammika Wijesinghe Director of Halfway Home thanked the UNESCO club for organising the annual Sinhala Avurudu festival despite the difficult situation the country was going through. “I am sure these children could have skipped this event given the situation the country is going through but they made it a point to somehow have it. I am really grateful for them,” the Director said.

Methjaya Pathberiya, Chairman of the UNESCO club welcomed those who attended and said that celebrating the New Year with the inmates at the Halfway Home is a much anticipated event in the calendar of the UNESCO Club. “The Club has been organising this since 2007 and we are planning to continue it in the years to come,” Pathberiya who had been a member of the Club since he was Grade 3 said. The event was also participated by doctors in charge of the Halfway

Home, nursing staff, Deputy Principal Prasad Weerasiri, some staff of Royal College, office bearers of the UNESCO club including S ecretary, Nehan Karunarathne and Treasurer, Deveen Balasuriya and students representing the UNESCO Club.