I live in Sydney, Australia, home of such wonders as the famous Sydney Opera House. It may come as a shock to hear, but there are a lot of Sri Lankans living in Sydney.

Think back to what you were doing during the Sinhala New Year; the Sinhala community of Sydney had gathered at a large park with an adjoining hall to capture a little slice of what New Year would be like back home in Sri Lanka. Put the eye on the elephant, running races, balloon blowing races, we had everything!

Let's see what else is there for Sri Lankans in Australia. Well, we have three Sunday schools which teach Buddhism and Sinhala on Sundays. In these schools, we learn to speak, read and write our mother tongue. These schools have become well established, incorporating nine levels of learning and elements of mainstream schools like uniforms.

Actually our Sinhala school will be holding a bi-annual concert soon. We also have frequent concerts and
performances from famous Sri Lankan singers, actors and dancers. In fact I heard that the stars of 'Sirasa Superstar' will be in Australia soon.

There are also many Sri Lankan shops here, which sell food and products from Sri Lanka. That is where I got a copy of 'Funday Times,' from one of these shops. Unfortunately though, none of this is as good as enjoying a holiday in our beautiful Sri Lanka, to visit our relatives and to enjoy the sights of our Sri Lanka.

By Buwaneka Arachchi (13+ years) Baulkham Hill High, Australia. Kid Reporter No. J. 02