JANUARY

New Year celebrations Sri Lankan New Year is a non-religious festival , originally a harvest thanksgiving , celebrated by the whole population . When the New Year commences , a fire is lit and new clothes are worn , then money is exchanged and the festival culminates when oil is mixed with a herbal paste and a respected elder anoints the head of each family member . Traditional games such as kotta pora ( pillow fighting ) and havari hengima ( hiding the wig ) are played in homes and villages . Kelaniya Duruthu Perahera ( east of Colombo ) To commemorate the first visit of Lord Buddha to Sri Lanka in the ninth month of his enlightenment . A 3-day pageant ending on Poya Day ( full moon ). The Galle Literary Festival 4-5 days of talks , workshops , readings and other events in Galle . Past guests have included Vickram Seth , Gore Vidal , Alexander McCall Smith and William Dalrymple . Usually held at the end of January .

FEBRUARY

National Independence Day 4 February , Parades and pageants to celebrate Sri Lankan culture and independence from the British in 1948 . Navam Perahera A 3-day pageant ending on Navam Poya day ( full moon ), with dance troupes and decorated elephants , in Colombo at Gangaramaya temple and along neighbouring streets . Eid-Milad Islamic commemoration of the birth of the Prophet . The Annual Ceylon Elephant Polo Association Championships Maha Sivarathri ( late February or early March ) The Great Night of Shiva , poojas are held at kovils during the day ( can be witnessed by visitors ) and every Hindu household keeps an all-night vigil . Turtles nesting On the shores at Rekawa ( February to July ).

MARCH

Medin Poya Day Full moon . Hot Air Balloon festival In Colombo , end of March or beginning of April .

APRIL

Bak Poya Full moon . Singhala and Tamil New Year Mid April , a public holiday with celebrations all over Sri Lanka . Important to note that most of the shops are closed during these days . Easter Sunday Nuwara Eliya season Trotting horse races , golf and special events ( April to June ).

MAY

Vesak Poya Day The most important Buddhist festival marking the birth , enlightenment and passing away of the Lord Buddha . Celebrations involve pageants , lanterns and roadside ‘ dansalas ’ where communities distribute free meals . Large pandals ( bamboo structures ) hung with pictures depicting events in the life of the Buddha are erected in the streets , illuminated by flashing coloured light bulbs . Roadside dansalas ( stalls ) offering free food and soft drinks to passers-by are notable features of the event . Little clay coconut oil lamps ( pol-thel pahana ) flicker throughout the island and the intricate Vesak paper lanterns adorn every Buddhist home , business and temple . This is a fascinating and moving time to visit Sri Lanka .

JUNE

Poson Poya Full Moon Festival The second most important Buddhist full moon festival to commemorate the introduction of Buddhism to Sri lanka at Mihintale in the 3rd century BC . The focus of this festival is the ancient capital , Anuradhapura , and the mountainous Mihintale Temple , reached by 1,840 steps , where King Devanampiyatissa was converted to Buddhism in the third century BC . During Poson , the mountain is illuminated and devotees climb the steps in their thousands to pay homage to the event . Visitors will see roadside dansalas , people praying at the Buddhist temples and decorations everywhere .

JULY

Kandy Esala Perahera Sri Lanka ’ s most prominent festival is the magnificent , historic Kandy Esala Perahera , held in the hill capital of Kandy over 10 days in late July to early August and climaxing on Esala Poya . Today , thousands flock to Kandy during this dazzling ten-day festival , where , under a star-studded , moon-filled sky , the streets flow with colour , dancers , pulsating drummers , stilt walkers , acrobats and flaming torches . Enrobed and light bulb-encrusted elephants are led by the Maligawa Tusker , on whose back is a gold casket containing the relic from the Temple of the Tooth . The processions grow in size as each day goes by . Esala Poya Full moon . Unawatuna Perehera A 7-day festival commencing on Poya Day . Kataragama Esala Festival Commemorates the victory of the six-faced , 12-armed Hindu war god , Skanda , over an army of demons at Kataragama . In this 10-day festival , pilgrims perform astonishing acts of penance and self-mortification , including walking barefoot atop hot coals and spearing themselves with hooks .

Vel Hindu Festival in Colombo To mark triumph over evil powers . A silver chariot leads the procession . Perahera Festival to Lord Vishnu In Matara / Dondra . Hand-made kite flying On south-west coast e . g . Galle ( July to August ).

AUGUST

Nikini Poya Day Full moon . Eid-al-Fitr The end of Ramadan . Muslims celebrate the end of 30 days of dawn-to-dusk fasting with banquets and prayers . Elephant Gathering In Minneriya ( August to October ). Sri Lankan Airlines Golf Classic At Victoria Golf Course ( near Kandy ) beginning August .

SEPTEMBER

Binara Poya Day Full moon . National Festival of Kites At Mount Lavinia beach .

OCTOBER

Vap Poya Day Full moon . National Tree Planting Day Mid October . Deepavali The Hindu Festival of Lights ( known in India and elsewhere as Diwali ) celebrates an aspect of the epic poem , the Ramayana - the homecoming of the hero , the Indian Prince Rama , after a 14- year exile in the forest following his victory over Lanka ’ s evil King Ravana . In the legend , the people welcomed Rama by lighting rows of lamps , and that ’ s exactly what happens today . Devotees all over the country wear new clothes and cook sweet dishes .

NOVEMBER

Il Poya Day Full moon . Eid ul-Adha The Muslim Festival of Sacrifice , approximately 70 days after Eid ul-Fitr ( end of Ramadan ), marking the end of el Hadj to Mecca . Animals are presented in sacrifice and the meat is shared with family , friends and those in need . Whale watching and calmer seas Off the west and south coasts ( November to April ).

DECEMBER

Annual Jazz Festival In Colombo . Unduvap Poya Day Full moon . Christmas Day

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