A month of celebrations

for the diverse population of Sri Lanka

Naomi Booth :: Friday 12th April 2024 :: This Story

April 2024 has been a month of celebrations for the diverse population of Sri Lanka.

Following Easter celebrated by the Christians and Eid al-Fitr celebrated by the Muslims it is now time to celebrate the Sinhalese and Tamil New Year.

The Sinhalese New Year, generally known as Aluth Avurudu in Sri Lanka, is a Sri Lankan holiday that celebrates the traditional New Year of the Sinhalese people and Tamil population of Sri Lanka. It is a major anniversary celebrated by not only the Sinhalese and Tamil people but by most Sri Lankans. It marks the end of the harvest season and also coincides with one of two instances when the sun is directly above Sri Lanka. Cultural rituals begin shortly after the beginning of the Sinhalese New Year, with the cleaning of the house and lighting of an oil lamp. Fireworks play a major role in the celebration of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. Traditional New Years food is consumed.