The national oil anointing ceremony — known as “tel kapima” — will take place on April 15 at 6:55 a.m. at the Sri Maha Natha Devalaya within the Sri Dalada Maligawa premises in Kandy, marking one of the final key rituals of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations.
Auspicious Customs
The Nekath Seettuwa (auspicious almanac) prescribes specific customs for the ceremony. Participants should wear green-coloured attire and face the eastern direction during the ritual. Neem leaves are placed on the head and kolan leaves at the feet, followed by a bath after applying a mixture of neem leaf extract and oil.
The state ceremony will be conducted under the guidance of the Chief Prelates of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters, with Health and Mass Media Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa attending on behalf of the government.
New Year Rituals Continue
The oil anointing ceremony follows the dawn of the New Year at 9:32 a.m. on April 14, when the traditional hearth was lit and milk rice prepared according to the auspicious times. The tel kapima is traditionally the last major ritual of the New Year observances, symbolising purification and a fresh start.
The ceremony at Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth is the primary state-level observance, drawing religious leaders and dignitaries from across the country. Households across Sri Lanka will observe the ritual privately following the prescribed auspicious time.
