Galle Season 2009
by Mahinda P. Liyanage
‘Galle Season 2009’ the buoyant annual gala organized by the Galle Library Association was ceremonially opened on the 28th under the auspices of Southern Province Governor Kumari Balasooriya, Agriculture Minister Hemakumara Nanayakkara and Galle Mayor Methsiri de Silva. The celebration will continue till December 31. A concept of Agriculture Minister Hemakumara Nanayakkara as Galle Library President the event is aimed at upholding the glorious customs and traditions of the Galle city to capture national and international attention.
The fete which included festivities, fun and entertaining activities, cultural and educational events, was spread and located in and around the pristine Dutch Fort.
Galle Season which traces its origin in the British imperial era is conducted with the objective to preserve the age old traditions of Galle.
Among the diverse displays associated with Galle Season 2009, were agricultural, industrial, rural industrial and trade exhibition, photography and architecture exhibition, children amusement park, Ruhunu sweetmeat market, Army tattoos, musical shows, dance, and drama, beach carnival and disco’s, exhibitions by foreign missions, food court, fashion shows and the auto show.
Above all, the exhibition of weapons captured from the LTTE during the war was of great interest to the public. The Association intends to utilize the proceedings of the event to establish an educational centre of different disciplines for the youth in Galle at the Old Post Office building at Galle Fort.
(Source: Daily News – 28th December, 2009)