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Sri Lankan New Year, or Aluth Avurudda, is celebrated in mid-April, marking the end of the harvest season. The festivities last several days and include cleaning and decorating homes, performing rituals according to astrological timings, and preparing traditional foods like kiribath (milk rice) and kavum (oil cakes). According to Sinhala astrology, the New Year starts when the sun moves from Meena Rashiya (Pisces) to Mesha Rashiya (Aries), symbolising the end of both the harvest and spring season. Cultural practices continue shortly after the Sinhalese New Year, with house cleaning and the burning of an oil lamp.
Top 10 Places To Celebrate Sri Lankan New Year
Have a look at the places to visit during the Sri Lankan New Year. Colombo is waiting for the dawn of New Year 2025. Let the party begin, and have some fun!
1. Kollupitiya Junction
Photo: Siarhei Palishchuk / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
During the Sinhalese New Year festivities, Kollupitiya Junction, an exciting centre in Colombo, changes into an incredible spectacle. As the clock strikes the auspicious hour, heralding the start of the New Year, the crowd erupts in joyous celebration and joy. Colourful decorations cover the streets, and the tribal drummers and dancers perform to Raban’s rhythmic beats, filling the air with infectious spirit. The sweet aroma of Kiribath (milk rice) and other local delights waft through the air, tantalising tourists’ taste buds.
Location: Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Sri Lanka
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2. Temple Trees
Photo: Shamli071 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Presidential Residence of Colombo, Temple Trees, transforms into a centre of festive activities during the Sri Lankan New Year celebration. The lawns are covered with colourful decorations, and the air is filled with the aroma of traditional delicacies and flourishing flowers. The President and dignitaries engage in traditional rites and ceremonies to seek blessings for the country and its people. Friends and family come in their traditional dress to exchange gifts, laugh, and celebrate, symbolising the spirit of regeneration and hope that defines Sinhalese.
Location: Janadhipathi Mawatha, Colombo
3. Cinnamon Grand Colombo
Photo: AndyDearden / Wikimedia Commons
Cinnamon Grand Colombo, a prestigious hotel in Colombo, celebrates Sri Lankan New Year with vibrant decorations in the lobby and public spaces. The pleasant aroma of Kiribath and other traditional sweets enhanced the celebratory ambience. It provides visitors with authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, ancient rituals, and a rooftop pool and bar, making it the ideal place to experience the joy and spirit of the Sinhalese New Year.
Location: Galle Road, Colombo, Sri Lanka
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4. Shangri- La Colombo
Photo: Thamilselvan Kiritharan / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Shangri-La Colombo, a beautiful city oasis, converts into a vibrant Sri Lankan New Year celebration with serene decorations in its lobby and public spaces. The aroma of Kiribath and other traditional delicacies, combined with the rhythmic beats of the Raban, creates a joyous mood. It serves authentic Sri Lankan New Year food items, traditional rites, and celebrations, and its rooftop scenic pool and bar offer spectacular views of the city’s festivities.
Location: Colombo, Galle, Hambantota, Wellawaya, Highway, Colombo
5. St. Anthony’s Church Kochchikade
Photo: Shamli071 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
St. Anthony’s Church is an ancient and sacred shrine adorned with brilliant decorations during the Sinhalese New Year. The church is filled with the sound of prayers, hymns, and the calm murmur of worshippers seeking blessings. Devotees carry trays of Kiribath, Kavum, and other traditional offerings to seek blessings of St. Anthony and welcome the New Year in a prosperous way. Church captures the spirit of regeneration and hope that marks the Sinhalese New Year!
Location: Catholic Church, Colombo, Sri Lanka
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6. York Street Colombo
Photo: Balou46 / Wikimedia Commons
During the Sri Lankan New Year, York Street, Colombo’s busiest thoroughfare, is adorned with colourful decorations, orange lanterns, and traditional patterns, creating a vibrant and joyous atmosphere. The air is filled with the aroma of delicious delicacies and the rhythmic beats of festive music, enhancing the celebratory ambience. Locals and visitors, dressed in their traditional attire, gather to exchange gifts, share laughter, and welcome the New Year. As the festivities unfold, York Street becomes a lively reflection of Sri Lankan culture’s warmth, kindness, and generosity.
Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka
7. Mount Lavinia Hotel
Photo: dronepicr / Wikimedia Commons
Mount Lavinia Hotel, a majestic beachfront retreat, welcomes the New Year with grandeur and warmth. The hotel’s architecture and beautiful gardens are adorned with vibrant decorations; guests can enjoy traditional cuisine, have a gala dinner, partake in cultural ceremonies, and dance to the rhythmic beats of Raban. With its rich heritage and festive atmosphere, it offers a perfect venue for experiencing the true essence of the Sinhalese New Year and creating unforgettable memories.
Location: Hotel Road, Dehiwala-Lavinia, Sri Lanka
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8. Galle Face Hotel
Photo: Adbar / Wikimedia Commons
Galle Face Hotel, a colonial-era icon, celebrates the Sri Lankan New Year in a style where luxury meets with tradition. The hotel’s elegant architecture and well-manicured gardens are covered with vivid decorations. The hotel’s location provides a breathtaking backdrop for watching the sunrise on the first day of the New Year, a truly unique experience. Visitors can experience traditional Sri Lankan cuisine, cultural ceremonies, and grooves on the rhythm beats of Raban, making it a perfect destination for enjoying the famous Sinhalese New Year.
Location: Galle Road, Colombo, Sri Lanka
9. Galle Face Greens
Photo: AKS.9955 / Wikimedia Commons
Galle Face Green is an iconic oasis promenade that converts into a festive wonderland during the Sinhalese New Year. The sprawling grounds are decked with vibrant decorations, stunning lanterns, and traditional patterns, creating an inviting environment. At night, the promenade is drenched in a Kaleidoscope of colours, with sparking fireworks lighting up the sky, making Galle Face Green a unique venue for experiencing the beauty of the Sri Lankan New Year.
Location: City Park, Colombo, Sri Lanka
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10. Lotus Tower Or Colombo Skyline
Lotus Tower, also known as Colombo Lotus Tower, is a 351.5-metre tall tower and a symbolic landmark of Sri Lanka. It stands tall and proud during the Sri Lankan New Year. As the clock strikes midnight, the tower creates a mesmerising light show that syncs with the rhythmic beats of traditional drumming. People gather together to welcome the New Year with love, laughter, and pleasant aroma of traditional delicacies. It is an incredible place to experience the charm of the Sinhalese New Year.
Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka
As the vivid festivities of New Year come to an end, the warmth and joy of the celebrations remain. The Sri Lankan New Year promises new beginnings, fresh starts, and the opportunity to reconnect with loved ones and traditions. As Sri Lanka awakens to a brighter tomorrow, memories of this particular period will remain in the people’s hearts. So, plan to experience the amazing New Year celebrations in Sri Lanka by booking a trip with TripXL.
Cover Photo: Amila Tennakoon / Wikimedia Commons
