Happy Avurudu

Went to the corner to get some booze and the entire male population of Battaramulla was there. That, my friends, is Avurudu. Street puts his bottle of arrack on the counter and pays, the coins falling out of his hand, landing next to his raggedy flip-flops. I’ve got some Old Reserve and eye-blinding rum for people in Galle. Everybody in line is pushing up on me like this is the last flight out of the country. This week has been a complete toss work-wise, Tuesday was Mohammed’s birthday or something, I don’t remember Monday, and everybody was wearing flip-flops on Wednesday. The Colombo l33t is in Nuwara Eliya watching the races, getting Tanquerayed and ogling each others wives. The servants have all gone back to their villages with their New Year bonuses, getting school books and clothes or whatever for the kids. I dunno. I got a T-Shirt with an alligator on it. Maybe it’s a crocodile.
And that’s about all I know about Avurudu. It’s a time where Sri Lankans stop working, supposedly bathe, clean up the house, paint, bond with family, etc. Colombo is hot like fire in April so everybody goes to the New Elephant where it’s cooler. I was at Tea Factory with my family, till we had to come back for a funeral, the last of the Gamage Seeyas. The ceremonies continue for 7 days, with a pirith tomorrow I think. There’s family out the ears and no one in the country is gainfully employed. It’s probably a good thing but in all seriousness, the entire month of April is a blackhole for business. Also a good time to rob houses.
If the line at the Arpico is any indication, Avurudu – like any Sri Lankan holiday (including Poya) – is also an excuse to drink. There’s no alcohol served on the 13th or the 14th, so the line at about 8:30 on the 12th is out the door. I’m going to Galle in like 20 minutes to somebody’s house. And that is Avurudu. Happy happy. Hope you’re with the people you care about.
I want to visit my friend in China before he comes back. Free place to crash and all. So, I applied for a visa to China, from Colombo. I’m not sure I’ll get it, but this is process to at least apply. For official but incomplete info, check out the
The Mahavamsa (a history of Sri Lanka) is full of conflicts between generals and kings. Usually, the more bloodthirsty and unscrupulous would win. Our current (elected) ruler Mahinda Rajapaksa has had his own general conflicts, namely with one Sarath Fonseka. In the old days Fonseka would have staged a coup, as in literally try to cut of Mahinda’s head, and Mahinda would – if that failed – tie him to four elephants and split his parts asunder. Can’t do that shit anymore. Instead Fonseka ran for office and lost and Mahinda tossed him in jail.
Today on the
Janith has updated 
What exactly do you guys celebrate on Avurudu? I haven’t travelled much, so I’m just curious.
Aurudu means New YEAR…
Wish you the same dude :-)
BTW remember the peanuts while u booze away…
Happy New Year to you just visit your blog..wonderful.. i read and enjoy..you have been in battaramulla?its my home town.i am now living in France..Take care..
sumith
Hey Sumith…Subha Aluth Avuruddak. Hope your English is better than your French mon ami.