Cultural Festivals

Festivals And Cultural Events

Sri Lanka’s culture is diverse and has been influenced by many factors such as religion and colonialization by the Dutch, the Portuguese and the British. Festivals are a part of Sri Lankan culture and are either religious or national. Most festivals are observed in grand scale.

Kandy Perahera
Kandy

One of the biggest Buddhist celebrations of the year, the annual Esala Perahera is a religious ceremony during which devotees pray for good rains to cultivate...
Vel
Countrywide
The Vel Festival is celebrated by Hindus in Colombo and is held in honour of Lord Sri Murukan, the God of War. The event begins with a lively procession...

World Spice Festival
Colombo

First held in 2005, the World Spice Festival is an opportunity for locals and visitors alike to sample a range of different cuisines representing all...

Deepavali
Countrywide
Also known as "Diwali" or the "Festival of Lights", Deepavali is one of the biggest celebrations for the Hindu faith. Marking the arrival of the new moon...

Duruthu Perahera
Colombo
A popular religious and cultural event, the annual Duruthu Perahera celebrates Lord Buddha's third visit to Sri Lanka and is marked by a huge procession...

Nawam Full Moon Poya Day
Colombo
This incredible spectacle celebrates the February Full Moon with a two-day event that includes parades and processions with elephants, dancers and music...

Sinhala and Tamil New Year
Countrywide
Sri Lanka's Sinhalese and Tamils celebrate New Year each April with a series of feasts and religious services. Unlike many New Year celebrations that...

Vesak Day
Countrywide
Vesak Day is one of the biggest days of the year in the Buddhist calendar and is celebrated by Buddhists all over the world. The day marks the birth,...

Poson
Anuradhapura
The annual Poson festival is an ancient celebration which commemorates the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka in the third century BC. It was spread...

Independence Day
Sri Lanka celebrates its Independence day on the 4th February every year. This day the Sri Lankan attained independence from British rule.

Kite Festival
Kites of various shapes and sizes are flown in the sky in a grand contest held on seashore in Colombo.

Related Links
Sri Lankan Festivals
Department Of Archaeology
Sri Dalada Maligawa
Sri Lanka Customs
Sri Lanka Port Authority
Sri Lanka Shippers Council
Sri Lanka Tourism Project Travel Hotel And Destination Guide

Cultures

Sri Lanka Culture is fascinating. The Yaksha and Naga tribes Civilized before 300 B.C. using agriculture and irrigation, Nourished from the Buddhism in early 2nd Century B.C. and also influenced by Indian invasions and going through Portuguese, Dutch and British rule, Sri Lankan Culture is diverse like it's Natural Heritage. Known as the Smiling People though out the world Sri Lankans enjoy a unique life style that's humble, artistic, entertaining and touching someones heart with Sri Lanka hospitality known for centuries. The intimate connection between Society and Buddhism as well as traditional forms of Art, Dance and Music are the fusion of the Sri Lanka Cultiure In the early 19th century The British rule introduced democracy, modern education, legal and commercial agriculture system. Sri Lanka now is a mirror of it's own ancient and modern cultures diverse from it's cities to far villages across the tiny island.Social Diversity of Sri Lankans can be explained as people involoved in software engineering International markets as well as traditional farmers using baffolas for to work in the paddy fields.

Sri Lanka is a country in south Asia, which boasts of a rich cultural heritage spanning over 2500 years. This had been enriched by much other culture, especially from India. Many a kingdom that was established in ancient Sri Lanka, along with various cultural influxes from India has influenced in shaping the cultural heritage of Sri Lanka.
Inarguably the factor, which has played the lead part in contributing to the culture along with everything traditional, is the presence of Buddhism. Ancient rulers of Sri Lanka built monuments established institutions to honor the philosophy of Buddhism. In turn this led to lesser folks following the principles advocated by Buddhism en masse. This could be described as a way of life, a pattern of thinking, which led to a self-sufficient society that engaged in agriculture as the means of living.
To support agriculture an advanced irrigation system was constructed. These people pursued matters aesthetic such as dancing, music, painting, sculpting and literature in spare time. This led to the development of quaint traditional customs that are so peculiar to Sri Lanka. The concept of "Wewai Dagobai" (Wewai = Reservoir, Dagobai = A Buddhist shrine) arose from the above, establishing the links between Buddhism, culture and irrigation.