Speeches in English about Sinhala and Hindu New Year Events
🎤 Speech 1: Introduction to Sinhala and Hindu New Year
For a younger student or a basic introduction
Good morning everyone,
Today I want to talk about a very special celebration in Sri Lanka – the Sinhala and Hindu New Year!
This New Year is celebrated in April. It is a time when Sinhala and Tamil people come together to welcome
the New Year with joy and happiness.
We clean our homes, cook delicious food, and wear new clothes. We also visit relatives and enjoy traditional
games.
It is a time of love, sharing, and good beginnings.
Thank you!
🎤 Speech 2: Traditions and Customs
For intermediate-level students
Good morning respected teachers and dear friends,
Today I am going to speak about the beautiful traditions of the Sinhala and Hindu New Year.
This festival is celebrated around April 13th and 14th. It is based on the sun's movement from the Meena
Rashiya to the Mesha Rashiya.
During this time, we follow auspicious times for cooking, starting work, and doing important things.
We prepare delicious meals like milkrice, kevum, and kokis. We light the hearth at the exact time and share
food with neighbours.
We also play traditional games like kana mutti, pillow fights, and tug of war.
These customs bring us closer as families and communities.
Thank you!
🎤 Speech 3: The Message of the New Year
For senior students
Good morning everyone,
The Sinhala and Hindu New Year is not just a festival – it is a time of renewal and unity.
It teaches us about peace, respect, and living in harmony.
After the old year ends, there is a neutral period called "Nonagathaya," where we reflect, go to the temple
or kovil, and pray for blessings.
When the New Year begins, we light the hearth, eat together, and exchange money and gifts with love.
It reminds us to start fresh, forgive past mistakes, and move forward with good thoughts and actions.
Let us all celebrate this New Year with kindness, unity, and happiness.
Thank you!
🎤 Speech 4: New Year Events – For Young Students
Good morning everyone,
I am happy to talk about the events we do during the Sinhala and Hindu New Year.
First, we clean our house and decorate it. Then we wear new clothes.
We light the hearth and cook milk rice. We share food with our neighbours.
We visit our family and give gifts.
We also play fun games like pillow fights, tug of war, and climbing the grease pole.
It is a time full of fun and happiness!
Thank you!
🎤 Speech 5: Celebrating with Traditions and Games – For Middle School Students
Good morning teachers and friends,
Today I will speak about the special events we take part in during the Sinhala and Hindu New Year.
We begin by observing the correct time for starting the New Year. We boil milk and make milk rice, kevum,
and other sweetmeats.
After that, we do the first business of the year and exchange money with our parents and elders, called
“First transaction.”
We visit relatives and get blessings from elders.
One of the most exciting parts is the traditional New Year games! We play kana mutti, kotta pora, and tug
of war. There are also events like singing competitions and bicycle races in villages.
These events bring lots of joy and connect us with our culture.
Thank you!
🎤 Speech 6: Cultural Significance of New Year Events – For Older Students
Good morning everyone,
The Sinhala and Hindu New Year is rich with meaningful and enjoyable events that unite our
communities.
Before the New Year, homes are cleaned, and people prepare sweet and savoury food.
We observe the “Neutral time ” by going to temples and kovils, focusing on spiritual activities.
When the New Year begins, we follow customs like lighting the hearth, cooking milk rice, and doing the
first business transaction of the year.
Then come the joyful village games – from the traditional kana mutti and pillow fighting to musical
chairs and volleyball tournaments.
Children and adults all take part, and prizes are given. These events help preserve our cultural identity
while creating unforgettable memories.
Let us all enjoy these traditions and keep them alive for future generations.
Thank you!
🎊 Special Events of the Sinhala and Hindu New Year
1. Observing Auspicious Times (Nekath)
People follow a special calendar (nekath seettuwa) with times for starting work, cooking, and even bathing.
Activities like lighting the hearth, eating the first meal, and exchanging money are done at exact times.
2. Boiling Milk (Lipa Gini Melaweema)
At the auspicious time, milk is boiled in a new clay pot. Overflowing milk symbolizes prosperity.
3. Cooking and Sharing Milk Rice (Kiribath)
Kiribath (milk rice), kevum, kokis, and other traditional sweets are prepared and shared with neighbours.
4. First Business Transaction (Ganu Denu)
Giving and receiving money, gifts, or blessings with elders and family members to start the New Year with
good fortune.
5. Visiting Temples and Kovils
People pray for blessings and perform rituals for spiritual renewal during the "Neutral " period.
6. Visiting Relatives and Exchanging Gifts
Family reunions happen during this time, and people visit elders to receive blessings.
7. New Year Games and Competitions
Some popular traditional games include:
Kana Mutti Bindeema – Breaking a clay pot while blindfolded.
Kotta Pora – Pillow fighting on a horizontal pole.
Grease Pole Climbing – Climbing a slippery pole to grab a prize.
Tug of War (Kamba Adeema)
Musical Chairs
Raban Playing – Traditional drum rhythms played mostly by women.
Bicycle races, lemon and spoon races, and singing competitions are also held in many villages and
schools.
8. Wearing New Clothes
Families wear traditional new outfits, usually in colors suggested by the auspicious time.
9. Cleaning the House and Preparing
Before the New Year, homes are cleaned and sometimes even painted to welcome good luck.
Sinhala and Hindu New Year – Questions and Answers
1. Q: How did you celebrate the New Year?
A: I celebrated it with my family. We cooked milk rice, played games, and visited our grandparents.
2. Q: Did you cook milk rice today?
A: Yes, my mother and I cooked milk rice in the morning.
3. Q: What sweetmeats did you make this year?
A: We made kevum, kokis, aluwa, and mung kevum.
4. Q: Did you visit your grandparents?
A: Yes, we went there after lunch and got their blessings.
5. Q: Did you go to the temple during neutral time?
A: Yes, we went early in the morning and offered flowers.
6. Q: Did you do first transaction with your parents?
A: Yes, I gave betel leaves and they gave me money and blessings.
7. Q: Did you play any New Year games?
A: Yes! I played pillow fighting and won the first place.
8. Q: Did the milk overflow when you boiled it?
A: Yes, it overflowed nicely. We were all happy.
9. Q: What gift did you get for the New Year?
A: I got a new watch from my uncle.
10. Q: What colour clothes did you wear for New Year?
A: I wore a white and gold dress.
