by Melani Manel Perera

New Year celebrations begin with the cleaning of the house and the lighting of an oil lamp. The rest of the day is punctuated by auspicious moments. A Catholic celebrated the festivity with his Hindu neighbours "in a gesture of peace and harmony."

Colombo (AsiaNews) – Sri Lankan Catholics took part in the country’s Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations along with Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims to enhance respect, peace and reconciliation.

The national holiday, which is of great importance throughout the country, is marked by auspicious events during which families perform religious rituals and play.

A retired Catholic army officer told AsiaNews why he celebrated this New Year. "We do not believe in good or bad times, because every moment is given to us by God. For us, every minute is blessed. However, this year I and my family decided to celebrate with our Hindu Tamil neighbours in a gesture of peace and harmony."

According to the man, who declined to give his name, "if everyone – and I mean Sinhalese, Tamils ​​and Muslims – were able to sit down together to develop this country materially and spiritually, Sri Lanka would be a paradise. We can do this if our rulers and the Church made a first step."

"I married a Buddhist and I follow every event of this festival to show my respect and cherish our relationship as husband and wife. I have been doing this for eight years, since we got married,” said Nisansala Kurukulasooriya, a Catholic mother of two, who spoke to AsiaNews.

Like Nisansala, Nuwanthi Corera, a 30-year-old Catholic, is also married to a Buddhist and celebrates the New Year with him and his family.

"I do not believe in auspicious omens. As a Christian, every moment is good because this world belongs to God. Our baby girl has been baptised. She celebrates the festivity with her father but does not take part in the rituals."

According to tradition, New Year celebrations begin with the cleaning the house and the lighting of an oil lamp.

The rest of the day is marked by auspicious moments (based on astrological calculations) celebrated with rituals that vary from community to community, such as lighting a fire to cook rice milk.

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