Traditions play an integral part of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations in Sri Lanka. Across the country people marked the dawning of the New Year at 1.47 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14 .

There are a few more traditions that are to be observed by the Sinhala and Tamil population of Sri Lanka. They are the ritual of anointing oil and the symbolic departing for work.

The tradition of anointing oil is to be marked on Wednesday, April 15,  at the auspicious time of 9.06 a.m. According to Sinhala Traditions, after bathing for the old year, people take a bath for the new year after applying oil.

People of the Sabaragamuwa Province engage in this tradition giving priority to Lord Saman who is venerated as a god.

Just Like the Sinhala Community, the Tamil community also engages in this tradition.

The purpose of this ritual which utilises a specially prepared herbal oil is to allow the people to reconnect with nature at the beginning of the new year. Experts also believe that this ritual reminds both the young and the old that it is their responsibility to protect the environment.

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