Sinhala and Tamil New Year 2026: Government Releases ‘Avurudu Nekath Seettuwa’
Government Releases ‘Avurudu Nekath Seettuwa’ for Sinhala and Tamil New Year
The Sri Lankan government has officially released the ‘Avurudu Nekath Seettuwa’, which outlines the auspicious times for rituals during the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations.
According to the announcement, the New Year will dawn on April 14, a significant cultural and religious occasion celebrated across Sri Lanka. The festival is known as “Aluth Avurudda” in Sinhala and “Puththandu” in Tamil, bringing together communities through a series of traditional customs and family gatherings.
The Sinhala and Tamil New Year is closely linked to astrological beliefs. According to tradition, the Sun moves through the twelve zodiac signs over the course of a year, spending about one month in each sign. The New Year begins when the Sun shifts from the House of Pisces (Meena Rashiya) to the House of Aries (Mesha Rashiya).
This astrological transition marks the start of the New Year and the beginning of a period filled with rituals, including lighting the hearth, preparing traditional sweets, exchanging gifts, and engaging in religious observances.
Across the country, families prepare for the festival by following the Nekath Seettuwa, which provides the exact auspicious times for important New Year activities such as cooking the first meal, commencing work, and other ceremonial practices.
The Sinhala and Tamil New Year remains one of the most important cultural celebrations in Sri Lanka, highlighting the island’s rich traditions, strong family bonds, and deep-rooted astrological beliefs.
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