The Official Website of the Royal Family of Jaffna (Sri Lanka)

Arya Cakravarti Dynasty

I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings to all Sri Lankans at home and abroad on the occasion of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

Traditionally the New Year is known in Sinhala as “Aluth Avurudu” and in Tamil as “Puthandu”. It is celebrated every year by the Sinhalese and Tamil people, which goes back to an ancient period in Sri Lanka history. The festival takes place on 13 or 14 of April and it brings both the Sinhalese and Tamil communities together and strengthens their culture bonds.

The Tamil New Year was more elaborately celebrated in the Kingdom of Jaffna and the Sinhala New Year was celebrated in the Kingdom of Kandy as a national festival under the patronage of the kings. This was done in keeping with the rituals and the astrologers worked out auspicious times to perform rituals in order to bring prosperity and happiness to the people and country.

I hope and pray that we will be able to achieve lasting peace with unity and strength.

May I wish you all a Happy New Year!

May the Lord Sri Kailasanathar blessing be upon you all!

REMIGIUS KANAGARAJAH OF JAFFNA