By Peradeniya University Alumni Association Inc, Sydney, Australia
The annual weekend get together of the Peradeniya University Alumni Association of New South Wales (PUAAN) was held at the Hunter Valley Retreat in Qurrobolong from Friday, 17 to Sunday, 19 April 2026. The event was attended by over 100 guests, including PUAAN members, their spouses, and close friends.
Friday Evening: Arrival and Welcome Activities
The festivities began at the resort restaurant at 6:00pm on Friday evening, where a well-stocked mini–World University Service (WUS) canteen was available. Many guests enjoyed relaxing with snacks while catching up with friends and acquaintances.
Entertainment commenced at 7:30pm with an opening housekeeping message from the night’s MC, Bandu Ratnayake. The evening featured a musical performance by Cicil Fonseka, accompanied by guest artist Ruvee. There was a variety of entertainment, with several audience members showcasing their singing talents. Satya and Mallika Rajapakse hosted a trivia quiz, and Nalin Karunatilake challenged guests with a word formation puzzle, putting everyone’s intellectual skills to the test.
Dinner included string hoppers and a selection of curries, providing plenty of energy for the rest of the night. The limited dance floor quickly filled with revellers, and the evening concluded with a lively, non-stop baila session.
Saturday: New Year Celebrations and Activities
Saturday’s activities started with the celebration of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. The event was vibrant, with all guests dressed in colourful traditional attire. MC Wijaya Hapukotuwa explained the rituals and their origins, emphasising the hope for a peaceful new year. The traditional oil lamp was lit by former PUAAN presidents, while Satya captured the moment with photos. Guests were then treated to a traditional Sri Lankan New Year breakfast of “kiri buth & lunu miris” and various sweetmeats.
After breakfast, the morning session featured ‘avurudu’ games, which were preceded by a Tai Chi session led by Malini Arumugam. Meanwhile, the PUAAN ladies operated a small kiosk, serving popular treats such as “faluda” and crispy “vadais”. The morning’s activities concluded with a BBQ lunch prepared by PUAAN volunteers.
Saturday Evening: Gala Night
The formal gala night was a highlight of the weekend. At 7:00pm, MC Neil Horadagoda announced the evening’s program. President Ravi Chandrasekera welcomed the guests, offering thanks to all attendees and to the committee members and their spouses for their dedication in organising the event. He acknowledged the donations made by PUAAN and its members in response to an appeal by the Sri Lankan government and the University of Peradeniya following the Ditwah cyclone. He also spoke about the ongoing scholarship and studentship programs supported by PUAAN.
The evening’s entertainment continued with music from Bonnie and his band, captivating the audience. Showcasing PUAAN’s own talent, a skit performed by Lucky Randeniya and Wijaya Hapukotuwa generated much laughter, and a colourful dance by a group of ladies, embedded in the skit, was a particular highlight.
After enjoying a Sri Lankan buffet dinner, Bonny and his band encouraged everyone onto the dance floor for a spirited baila session. The night was only paused for a raffle draw, with festivities continuing until midnight.
Sunday: Relaxation and Reflection
Sunday was set aside as a free day, allowing guests to spend their time as they wished.
Over the course of the weekend, participants shared many meaningful moments that, while not always visible, were deeply significant to all involved.
Please enjoy the event photos captured by our own alumnus Sathyawadi Rajapakse
PUAAN Hunter Valley Retreat Outing – 2026
