The Sinhala and Tamil New Year marks the solar new year and the end of the harvest season in Sri Lanka. It symbolizes prosperity, renewal and cultural unity across Sinhalese Buddhists and Tamil Hindus.

When is Sinhala and Tamil New Year?

Sinhala and Tamil New Year is celebrated on April 13 or 14.

The following is the list of Sinhala and Tamil New Year from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Sinhala and Tamil New Year?

The festival has roots in South Asian agrarian traditions, shared across Hindu and Buddhist cultures.

For the Sinhalese Buddhists, the New Year (Aluth Avurudu) blends astrology, harvest rituals and Buddhist customs. Ancient chronicles like the Mahavamsa mention royal ceremonies and harvest festivals tied to the sun and agriculture. Over time, Buddhist values of generosity, peace and renewal were woven into the festival.

For Sri Lankan Tamils, the New Year (Puthandu) is rooted in Hindu astrology and mythology. It is associated with Surya (the Sun God) and the cycle of cosmic renewal. The day is considered highly auspicious, beginning with Kanni (looking at lucky items first thing in the morning).

Although the Sinhalese and Tamils have distinct rituals, the timing of the New Year is the same, tied to solar movements. This overlap made the April New Year a shared cultural festival for centuries.

With colonial rule (Portuguese, Dutch, British), many cultural traditions were suppressed or sidelined, but the April New Year survived as a people's festival.

After independence in 1948, it gained stronger recognition as a national holiday, symbolizing Sri Lanka's unity in diversity. Today, it is one of the country's most widely celebrated festivals.