The national Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival was held on April 14 in Gampaha under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, marking the official state celebration of Avurudu.
Organised by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, the event featured the performance of traditional auspicious customs and rituals that form the centerpiece of the annual new year celebrations. The Gampaha venue served as the national-level ceremony, drawing participants and spectators from across the Western Province.
A Day of Unity
The festival took place as Sri Lankans across the country welcomed the new year, with the auspicious new year having dawned at 9:32 AM on April 14. The celebrations came against the backdrop of heightened Avurudu security measures and a festive period that saw record hospital admissions from seasonal injuries.
The national oil anointing ceremony, a separate traditional event, was scheduled for the following morning in Kandy at 6:55 AM on April 15.
PM Amarasuriya’s presence at the Gampaha event underscored the government’s commitment to the cultural significance of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year as a unifying national celebration.
