Sampath Hathurusighe, president of the Wagga Australian Sri Lankan Community Association, said their history is more than 2400 years old. 

“Our kids at the moment though can be more involved with the Australian culture,” he said. 

“Slowly we want to give them the values of the Sri Lankan culture.” 

Mr Hathurusighe said traditions are heavily based around the structure of the family and ensuring they are passed down from generation to generation. 

“This is how throughout the years the culture has been steadily maintained,” he said. “Things like the Kandyan dance is nearly a thousand years old.

“In August, we celebrate Kandyan Perahera as Buddhists. It is celebrated to honour the Sacred Tooth Relic and is what brings pride to Sri Lanka.” 

Mr Hathurusighe said Sri Lanka is very multicultural with a mix of religions and traditions spanning the country. 

Passing on the knowledge and lessons can sometimes be difficult, Mr Hathurusighe said. 

“To be honest it can be hard because the facilities we get is not enough,” he said. “We can't get the traditional dancer to teach them how to do it or the older people to tell the stories.

“Still, with technology, we can get the stories and the songs and every Sunday we have the Sri Lankan Sinhala language school.”

Mr Hathurusighe said at the Sunday school, their children are taught the “mother tongue and letters” as well as the tradition and history. 

He said WASCA has also participated in numerous blood donations programs throughout the year as a way of building ties with the Wagga community.

“We will also be hosting events throughout the year for all cultures to join in,” he said.

“In May, we have Vesak Day. Buddha was born on this day, he attained enlightenment on the same date and he passed away on the same date again.” 

Mr Hathurusighe’s daughter is one of the 13 children in Wagga learning some of the traditional dances. 

On December 1, the community group is hosting its annual cultural show at Henschke Primary School from 5pm. 

“The theme is Culture and Rhythm Rejoice,” he said.