Domestic helpers from the Philippines have Statue Square, the Indonesians Victoria Park. For Sri Lankans, the Sunday haunt is Kowloon Park.
Sampath Peiris, president of the Association of Sri Lankans in Hong Kong, said it was in the Tsim Sha Tsui park that the group was formed eight years ago.
Mr Peiris said an estimated 3,000 Sri Lankans lived in the city, many of whom work as domestic helpers. A government census puts the combined number of Sri Lankans, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis at 12,161.
Like many Sri Lankans, Mr Peiris was drawn to Hong Kong 11 years ago by an attractive job market.
'I decided to come because in our country even if we study, it is very hard to earn well. I did business and many things in Sri Lanka but I decided to come here to find a job. I came and found my employer. I have worked since 1993 with the same employer, an Indian businessman,' said Mr Peiris, who is a driver.
Eight years ago, a group of long-time residents encouraged him to come to a meeting at Kowloon Park to set up the association, which aimed to provide an alternative to another group for Sri Lankans. The latter was disbanded not long after, but his association thrived, with membership, including several Tamils, growing to about 600, he said. On April 19 it will hold festivities for the Sinhala and Hindu New Year - but not in Kowloon Park.
Mr Peiris expects 400 people to join the day-long celebration at the Western Park Playground in Sai Ying Pun.
