Sri Lanka’s Sinhala and Tamil New Year dawned at 9:32 AM on Monday as the sun transitioned from Pisces to Aries, marking the start of the traditional new year celebrated by the island’s Sinhalese and Tamil communities.
The Punya Kaalaya — the auspicious neutral period — began at 3:08 AM and runs until 3:56 PM. Tradition calls for lighting the hearth and cooking the first meal at 10:51 AM while wearing red and facing south, with the auspicious time for the first meal set at 12:06 PM.
Presidential and Prime Ministerial messages
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake issued a New Year message calling for national unity, acknowledging the “internal resilience shown to the world in the face of natural disasters, as well as external challenges posed by the war in the Middle East.”
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said Sri Lanka’s response to natural and economic challenges “serves as an example to the entire world,” extending special wishes to Sri Lankans living abroad, particularly those in the Middle East.
National ceremony in Gampaha
The National New Year Ritual Ceremony was held under the patronage of PM Amarasuriya in the Gampaha district. Buddhasasana Minister Prof. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated all auspicious rituals falling on Monday would be performed symbolically during the event.
The celebrations come amid ongoing economic pressures from the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, which has pushed oil above $100 per barrel, and the continued recovery from Cyclone Ditwah last November.
