Sinhala and Tamil New Year's Day is one of the most celebrated public holidays in Sri Lanka. The day corresponds with the first day of the traditional lunisolar calendars used by the Sinhala and Tamil people, who represent two of the country's largest ethnic groups. The holiday usually falls on the 13th or 14th of April and signifies the end of the harvest season and the start of the New Year, according to the astrological calendar.
The holiday is marked with a variety of rituals and customs steeped in cultural tradition. The celebrations begin at the sighting of the new moon before the New Year. Festivities include making traditional foods, playing games, giving gifts, and spending time with family. Many also visit temples for religious observances and take part in the 'Anointing of the Oil' ceremony, whereby elders anoint younger family members with oil for blessings in the new year.
Sinhala and Tamil New Year's Day is a significant holiday that brings together people of different cultures and religions in Sri Lanka. It is a time for renewal and beginnings, and each ritual performed holds symbolic meaning in bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming in the new one. Despite the challenges that the nation has faced, this holiday reflects the resilient spirit of Sri Lankans and their strong sense of community and cultural heritage.