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Religious observances, charity, dinner-dances herald 2017
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Seeking blessings for the New Year: Devotees at the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura last morning. Pic by Athula Bandara
Religious programmes, charitable events and dinner dances ushered in 2017 in most parts of the country, with police on alert for traffic violations.
Religious events were organised in temples, churches, kovils and mosques to coincide with the dawning of new year.
Devotees started gathering from last morning at places of worship including the Jaya Shri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura, Dalada Maligawa in Kandy and in Kataragama, while Catholic and Christian services were scheduled for midnight yesterday and thismorning.
Distribution of dry rations, food parcels, school books and clothes to the poor were among charitable events organised in various parts of the country, coinciding with the new year.
For some 3,000 prisoners in Welikada, a special programme has been organised today commencing with a pooja in the morning, followed by a breakfast organised for the inmates at Welikada, the prison hospital, and the women’s section.
Leading hotels in Colombo and suburbs, Kandy, Negombo and Galle had organised grand New Year’s Eve gigs with lavish parties charging high prices from the revelers to make merry throughout 31st night, till the wee hours on the 1st.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (Traffic) Palitha Fernando said that, from midnight yesterday, for the next three days, police have launched an operation against those violating traffic laws.
He said some 300 policemen were deployed in Colombo city.
“During the Christmas season there were 450 detections of speeding and drunk-driving within Colombo city. Therefore, the focus will be on detecting those responsible for these offences,” he said.
Kingsbury Hotel had its Retro Fusion with ‘Doctor’ and ‘Marians’ at the Balmoral for Rs. 20,000, while their ‘Sky Lounge’ Odyssey party sold for Rs 25,000 per head. Hilton dished out their New Year Party ‘Disco Party at the poolside with Sri Lanka’s top DJs for Rs 9,000, while its Grand Ballroom Hilton sold for Rs 22,000. Mount Lavinia’s ‘Moonlight Magic’ came alive at the poolside for Rs 19,000 per person.
Galle Face Hotel and Cinnamon Garand opted foreign acts (The Live ABBA tribute show and Beatlemania – The ultimate Beatles concert experience at Cinnamon Grand), instead of local musicians, sold for Rs 12,500 and 18,000 per head respectively.
The popular group Gypsies, came alive at Pegasus Reef Wattala and the dinner-dance tickets were priced at Rs. 10,000 per person
Waters Edge in Colombo saw Magic Box Mixup’ and Manilal perform at their new restaurant with a dance floor. The charge for the dance was Rs 9,000 per person.
Kandy too was vibrant this year with popular band Kurumba at Grand Kandyan Hotel for Rs 5,000 per head, while ‘Duruthu Udanaya’ at Amaya Hills too sold for Rs 5,000 inclusive of dinner. Earls Regency Hotel had their party with Annesley Malewana for Rs 8,000 per ticket.
Negombo dances ranged from Rs 4,000 to Rs 12,000 per head, with dinner and breakfast