Japanese New Year Celebration at the University of Kelaniya

The Japanese Club of the Japanese Unit, Department of Modern Languages, University of Kelaniya, organized a Japanese New Year celebration on the 1st of January 2026 at the university premises.

The main purpose of this event was to provide Japanese undergraduate students with traditional Japanese cultural experience.

The event commenced with a welcome speech delivered by Professor Dilrukshi Rathnayake, setting the tone for the celebration and highlighting the cultural significance of the Japanese New Year.

One of the main highlights of the event was an Ikebana (traditional Japanese flower arrangement) demonstration conducted by Ms. Sunitha Wijepala. A small Ikebana competition was also organized alongside the demonstration, and the winners were awarded gifts in appreciation of their creativity and effort.

In addition, several traditional Japanese New Year games and cultural activities were arranged, including quizzes, Mame-tori (a chopstick game), Karuta (a traditional Japanese card game), and Kakizome (a New Year calligraphy session). These activities encouraged active participation and allowed students to engage directly with Japanese traditions.

The event was further enriched by the presence of special guests Dr Asanka Pallewatta, Ms Sunitha Wijepala, Ms Naoko Koizumi, and Ms Yuki Minamidani, whose contributions added cultural depth and authenticity to the celebration.