The Sinhala and Tamil New Year

 The Sinhala and Tamil New Year is a national festival. It is an important festival for them. The New Year Day falls on the 14th of April every year. It is just after the harvesting season and every household is well provided with everything necessary to celebrate the new year.

The early part of the new year Day is called "nonagathe" or the inauspicious time. In homes, the hearth is not lighted during this time. Those who observe new year traditionally stop all work and engage in religious activities during the inauspicious time. 

When the " nonagathaya" is over they light the hearth at an auspicious time and prepare the first meal for the new year.. Traditionally the first item is milk rice prepared in a new pot. They wear new clothes and eat oil cakes, kokis, ripe plantains and other sweetmeats.🍽️🍚

All the members of the family sit together for the new year meal.The first is taken at an auspicious time. They believe it would be a happy one. They exchange presents and offer betel leaves to the elders as a mark of respect to them. It is a symbolic way of asking forgiveness for any disrespect that has been caused during the past year.🌝