Festivals and Annual Events

Independence day in Sri Lanka is celebrated with parades, dances and national games.

The Hindu New year is celebrated with traditional food, clothing, coconut games and pillow fights.

Vesak commemorates the birth, death and enlightenment of Buddha. Colourful lanterns are made and hung around town. Parades and other religious activities also take place.

This is a Buddhist festival. People dress up in elegant costumes, fire and Kandyan dancers entertain the public and richly decorated elephants make their way down the streets.

The ceremonial chariot of Skanda, the God of War, is hauled between two temples. Hindu processions also take place on the streets.

Eid is the Islamic festival which celebrates the end of the Holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan is a month when Muslims fast from dawn to dusk.

Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights. Hindus light up lamps to signify victory of good over evil. The entire city of Colombo is lit up in celebration.

Celebrating the birth of Christ. Many events around the city are held on this occasion.

Milad un Nabi occurs on the 12th day of Rabi' al-awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar. People on this day celebrate the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.

Celebrates a visit by Buddha to Sri Lanka. There is a procession of Elephants and Dancers to mark this celebration.