City Talk: Sri Lankans to usher in New Year

It a time for song and celebration as the busy months spent working in the paddy fields draw to a close and Sinhalese Tamil New Year is ushered in.

Celebrations, which began in earnest yesterday, will continue today and tomorrow. Sri Lanka's two main ethnic groups - the Sinhalese and the Tamils - celebrate a common traditional New Year, marking the passage of the Sun from Pisces to Aries.

It is during this time of year when the larders are full. The harvest has just been collected, the trees are laden with flowers, homes are freshly painted and it is time for festivity.

The key features of the celebrations are marked with the playing of traditional games, observing customs, wearing new clothes in auspicious colour and preparing special food and sweetmeats.