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Sinhala and Tamil New Year – By Donald Gunatillake Source :  Queensland Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – April 2023 Most countries in the world celebrate January 1st as the day a New Year is born. However, there are some other countries that adopt different calendars. For Sri Lankans, the month of April is generally regarded as the dawn of the traditional New Year. This is the period farmers reap their harvest from paddy cultivation, and fresh seedlings for the next cultivations are grown in hundred thousands acres of land across the country showing patches of greenery everywhere. Vegetables and fruits are available in plenty, flowers in bloom. Aluth Avurudu was something we used to look forward to, both as children and even as adults. This was the occasion where everyone enjoyed the festivities steeped in tradition. Traditionally, the much-awaited New Year is welcomed by lighting firecrackers at the auspicious ...