Inauguration of the Association in 2009
The inauguration of the Association was celebrated with a dinner / Paduru Paatiya (Peradeniya Night -1) in March 2009. This inaugural celebration was attended by over 200 Sri Lankans.
This was followed a few months later by Peradeniya Night – 2 held in November 2009. These events were held at St. Mary’s Hall, Ellerslie.
Per Nite – 3 was held in Nov 2010 organized by the Association with alumni of other Sri Lankan universities in attendance. This event was also referred to as an inter-university event.
Pera Night
Pera night is the largest of the social events in the calendar of the New Zealand Chapter of the Alumni Association of Peradeniya University. The evening consists of a mix of song, performances, skits, quizzes, dinner and dance which make up a very entertaining evening enjoyed by all.
Although it is intended to hold this event annually, it has not always been possible. In recent years this event was held as follows:
Sat 27 Sep 2014 at Commerce Club, Remuera
Sat 22 Aug 2015 at Commerce Club Remuera
Sat 17 Sep 2016 at Alexandra park Function Centre, Greenlane
Sat 29 Jul 2017 at Te Tuhi Centre, Pakuranga
Sat 15 Feb 2020 at Commerce Club, Remuera.
Sat 29 May 2021 at Commerce Club, Remuera.
Sat 29 Jun 2024 at Remuera Golf Club
Gee Sandella
This has proved to be a very popular evening event where members and their families come together to listen to and sing along classic and modern Sinhala songs.
This fun evening program also referred to at times as the Members’ Night පැදුරු පාටිය has singing led by our very own musical Duo Bernard Wimalaratne and Sanka Bambarawana. It is a ticketed event with any surplus funds generated directed towards projects supporting our Alma Mater.
This was first organized in 2014 and given its popularity, continued in later years – June 2015, July 2016, May 2017, January 2021, June 2023, and November 2024. All AAUPNZ events were suspended during the years when the Covid viral epidemic hit our shores.
Screening of Sinhala Movies
Over the years, the Alumni Association has embarked on arranging fund raising events. Screening of Sri Lankan movies has generally proved to be successful in raising funds to support its various projects.
In November 2015, the movie Maharaja Gemunu was screened at the Academy Cinema, Auckland City.
In May 2016, the Association screened the movie Oba Nethuwa Obath Ekka, an international award winning film produced and directed by Prasanna Vithanage at the Academy Cinema in Auckland City.
In May 2019, Ginnen Upan Seethala, a movie about Rohana Wijeweera was screened at the Hollywood Cinema in Avondale.
In October 2021 the movie “Miduna Vishwaya”was screened at the Hollywood Cinema in Avondale.
In August 2022, the popular movie Ayu was screened at the Hollywood Cinema, Avondale.
In August 2023, the movie Dada Ima was screened at the Hollywood Cinema in Avondale.
In January 2024, the movie Visangamanaya was screened at the Hollywood Cinema in Avondale.
Other Events
From time to time, the Association holds various events. Some are social events for Alumni members and their families to get together. Others are for fund raising purposes.
In 2010 the association was involved in hosting the SL High Commissioner in Australia at Commerce Club, Remuera. In May 2011, the association was also involved in hosting Prof. Rajiva Wijesinghe, advisor to the then president of Sri Lanka on reconciliation.
In 2010, a stage performance, Sankranthi with internationally famed performers was hosted by the Association.
In its early years, the association was also involved in arranging special events (Pujas) at the local temple too in remembrance of our alumni who have passed away.
A fun day out at Wenderholm Regional Park was organized in March 2017. A sumptuous picnic lunch, a game of cricket and plenty of yarns shared among those who attended made the event a very memorable one for all!
On 8 January 2022 after a period of silence due to Covid pandemic members and families limited to those who chose to be vaccinated got together for a barbecue at Cornwall Park, Greenlane.
In August 2018, a musical show Dewani Inima was organized as a fund raising event held at the Dorothy Winstone Centre with all proceeds going to identified projects to assist the university of Peradeniya. This was a huge success financially.