What we do...

PUAAN has a number of events in its annual calendar. The most popular and in great demand is the weekend get together at Hunter Valley where members attend with their families to an ideal setting to relax and enjoy each other’s company packed with lots of fun activitiesfrom Friday evening to Sunday lunch. This event is patronised by all age groups – from tiny tots to very senior members.  Now this is held in April and the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festivities are part of the weekend activities.  Saturday activities commence with lighting the traditional oil lamp followed by Jayamangala Gatha and Gayathri Mantra. This is followed by breakfast with an array of traditional Sinhala and Tamil New year food items all contributed by the PUAAN families and their guests.  Thereafter until lunch traditional new year games and competitions are held, with all age groups participating.  Kids participation has been a treat to watch.Saturday activities culminate with a formal dinner dance.  A special feature has been the WUS canteen operated by PUAAN ladies throughout the weekend.

Hunter Valley Outing

However, our signature event held annually in the months of October/November–Hantana Night, our dinner dance – which is patronised by members and other well-wishers has become a popular in- demand event in the Sydney Sri Lankan social calendar.

Then again, during the summer months – February/March – we organise a walk either in a National Park or along a beach track. Sometimes the terrain has been rugged.  The brave and strong have really enjoyed these walks and have willingly helped the ladies like during the annual trips at Peradeniya, of course then for different motives. The walks have been followed by a BBQ lunch or a meal at a restaurant. This event has played a major role in building friendships and camaraderie.

Picture from a Summer Walk

Our winter event has been, in general, adopting an academic theme such as:

  • panel discussions
  • lectures through visiting professionals followed by invigorating discussions
  • book launches
  • quality stage dramas

Other events

We have been participating in the annual inter-university cricket tournament organised in collaboration with the universities of Colombo, Sri Jayawardena Pura, Kelaniya, Moratuwa and Ruhuna.

We have participated in “Australia’s Clean-up day” activities and hope to continue with similar activities in the future.

A special event held to celebrate our first ten year journey was a felicitation lunch for the most senior members of the association, some of whom were not in the best of health. The committee decided to show our respect and appreciation for their services, assistance, advice and encouragement over the years. The function, held at a highly regarded restaurant, was attended by over 20 invited senior alumni and their spouses. We had an enjoyable afternoon with some of the senior members entertaining us with various hilarious Peradeniya anecdotes. It was a pleasure to note this gesture was highly appreciated.

Another community event we have been taking part frequently is the Sinhala Tamil New Year celebrations Sun Fest festival where PUAAN has been responsible for a short eats stall. We have willingly  to three  as it has been a community event and has given the opportunity for many of our members to get engaged in the project, while meeting and greeting friends patronising the stall.

We have also been actively involved in fund raising projects in aid of NSW bushfire victims and to provide much needed medical equipment to three hospitals in Sri Lanka during the COVID 19 crisis.

Our contribution to the alma mater

We continue to extend our gratitude to the university and offer support to the current student body by implementing various infrastructure projects and providing studentships and scholarships annually to all nine faculties.

We have also been providing academic books to the main library and many individual faculty libraries.