Colombo Events and Festivals

Duruthu Perahere: records indicate that the Buddha visited Sri Lanka some 2,000 years ago, and this day commemorates that event. A number of religious events are held for a full week, followed by the colourful Duruthu Perahera procession of acrobats, dancers, drummers, elephants and torch bearers. There is much festivity around the Kelaniya Temple complex as well as lots of stalls offering up special foods and decorative pottery. This is the country’s most elaborate celebration.

National Day: the nation’s independence from Britain in 1948 is celebrated in early February. Among the many activities and events to be enjoyed are dances, parades and national sporting competitions.

Navam Perahere: most widely-celebrated in Colombo, this perahere and the festivities surrounding it occur in the Viharamahadevi Park and Beira Lake areas. Fifty ornately-decorated elephants lead the procession that tops off the celebrations.

Medin Full-moon Poya Day: the Buddhist calendar features 12 poyas, public holidays that fall on the day of the full moon. This poya commemorates the Buddha’s return to his home to preach to his father and family, revealing to them the path to enlightenment. This is a day for engaging in mediation, religious study and merit making.

Sinhala and Tamil New Year Festival: Aluth Avurudda is the celebration of the new year, which is shared by the Sinhalese and Tamil communities. Coinciding with the annual harvest, ripe fruits are picked and distributed as part of the festivities. Most businesses shut down for this week of events, so that families can spend the time together and enjoy the traditional activities held throughout the country including elephant races among others.

Vesak: is a sacred celebration commemorating the Lord Buddha’s birth, death and enlightenment. In preparation for this day, the streets of Colombo are decorated with colourful lanterns and other lighting displays known as thoran. For this week-long festival, many Sri Lankans from around the country visit the capital to see the decorations and make donations to charities. Known as giving dunsals, people donate rice and other items of food and drink to the needy.

Mayurapathy Chariot Festival: held at Paththirakaali Amman Temple in Colombo annually, this Hindu procession begins in early morning and continues throughout the day. The chariots at the heart of the procession stop along the way for blessings while music is played on auspicious instruments. Traditionally-costumed dancers carry pots that are decorated with Margosa leaves. Devotees may roll on the ground while offering up prayers. This is an important day for unwed females, who believe that prayers said on this day will improve their chances of marriage.

Vel Festival: a silver-plated chariot drawn by two white bulls carries an image of Lord Murukan from Pettah Kathiresan Temple to Bambalapitiya Shrine. This signifies the official start of this festival that’s held in honour of Lord Murukan. The Vel Festival is Colombo's equivalent to the Perahera in Kandy, commemorating the victory of Sri Murukan over evil.

National Festival of Kites: kite-flying competitions are popular throughout South Asia, and Colombo is no exception. The Sri Lankan National Festival is held each year to encourage child and adult creativity in kite-making. Large crowds gather to admire the unique creations made from pieces of colourful sarees and dried leaves and flowers.

Navarathri Festival: Hindus in Sri Lanka and around the world join in celebrations during the Navarathri Festival. For nine days and nights, the Goddess Durga fought against the Asura, and she is honoured for this in the celebrations. The goddess signifies the triumph of devotion and piety over the forces of evil. Prayers, known as dasara, are offered up during the first three nights to the goddess of bravery, Thurgai. During the next three nights, prayers are offered to the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, and on the final three nights to the goddess of education, Saraswathy.

World Spice Festival: Sri Lanka has been known as a spice capital for many years, and this festival celebrates the native spices and cuisine of the island. Visiting chefs and spices native to their home countries are also featured. Special dishes from Africa, Australia, China, India, Malaysia and Thailand can be enjoyed by all.

Christmas: although Sri Lanka's Christians only number about seven per cent of the population, Christmas is widely-celebrated across the island. Commercial buildings and streets are decorated with colourful lights from the first week in December, while Christmas carols are sung and nativity plays staged throughout the season. Larger stores and shopping centres feature special sales to entice shoppers in the period leading up to the holiday.