The Sinhala and Tamil New Year is one of the most reassuring times of the year for Sri Lankans, signifying the dawn of a new beginning and better things to come. 

It is more than a set of rituals and traditions; rather, it is a time of celebration and family for most, where the bustle of daily life slows down and people are given the time to reflect and reunite with their loved ones.

However, this year’s New Year, similar to those experienced over the last few years, came with added burdens in light of the prolonged international conflicts that have brought challenges to a country that is still grappling with the effects of the 2019 economic crisis. The Sunday Morning reached out to the public to ask about their expectations for Avurudu and the ground realities during the festive season.

Fuel crisis takes a toll

Aroshie Jayasinghe, a speech and drama teacher and examiner, told The Sunday Morning that shops had produced fewer traditional sweetmeats this time due to the fuel crisis and its impact on the economy. 

“Items were not as cheap as last time. I noticed that prices had gone up within a week. When I went to get samples of sweets, prices were lower, but they had been raised the following week when I purchased them,” she said. 

Jayasinghe emphasised that since the Sinhala and Tamil New Year was a cultural event, people would celebrate it irrespective of surrounding circumstances. “It was a bit more difficult this time, in general,” she noted.

Dr. Aditha Dissanayake from Battaramulla, an English Lecturer at a private university, noted that she had managed to save enough fuel to travel to Nuwara Eliya for the New Year with her family, having rationed their petrol carefully.

As this took place before the Government lifted fuel restrictions, the journey and the New Year were made especially meaningful. “Like in previous years, we observed the auspicious times, but because of fuel constraints we couldn’t go shopping for new clothes. Instead, we wore whatever red items we could find in our wardrobes,” she said.

Fewer firecrackers and nature’s bounty

Dr. Dissanayake also observed that there were surprisingly fewer firecrackers than usual to mark the dawn of the New Year where she was staying. “I saw this as a positive change, as animals were not frightened by loud noises. I was also glad that the auspicious times fell in the morning rather than late at night, making the celebrations easier to carry out.”

She noted that the Avurudu season, being one of harvest, brought with it trees laden with mangoes and jambu (rose apple) – “almost as if nature was trying to give us a gift to take our minds off the hardships of the fuel crisis”.

Dr. Dissanayake added: “After days of dry, hot weather, rain fell on the eve of the New Year. It felt like a gift from nature itself, washing away the dust so that 14 April dawned fresh and clean.”

Visits to relatives limited

Twenty-year-old university student Mishenka Perera from Ragama expressed concern about how he and his family would visit relatives amid the fuel shortage that persisted close to the New Year.

“Going to Colombo from where I live really limits how far we can travel. Despite the crisis, I was able to visit my relatives for the New Year since they lived close and we compromised our fuel stock to go and see them. However, there were fewer relatives compared to previous years, as some were unable to make it due to the fuel quota being implemented. I didn’t see my favourite cousin since they lived quite far away.” 

Perera observed that this year’s Avurudu season had been dampened by the fuel crisis, making it more sombre than previous years.

Nilushi Abeyakoon, a teacher residing in Colombo, said that Avurudu was a festival that encompassed values, culture, and heritage. However, she noted that international forces, including the United States and other conflict-involved countries, had impacted Sri Lanka, contributing to issues such as the fuel crisis.

“People had to spend a lot of time at fuel stations pumping petrol, so we were exhausted. Economic issues have made it very difficult financially. Taking all these into consideration, this year has not been good compared to previous years,” she said. 

Abeyakoon also noted that outstation travel had become considerably more difficult, with many unable to visit relatives or go on vacations – activities commonly associated with the festive season. She added that the overall mood was less festive than usual, with significantly fewer firecrackers.

Quality time together despite issues

“The New Year this time was something I looked forward to with mixed feelings because of the fuel crisis and the many difficulties people were facing,” said 20-year-old Minura Silva. 

He expected the season to be markedly different due to rising prices, shortages of items, and the fuel crisis, which encouraged families to celebrate in a simpler manner. However, Silva noted that despite these challenges, people were able to prepare traditional sweetmeats with what they had and spend quality time together, even if most remained at home.

“Many people could not travel to their hometowns due to fuel shortages. Some families had to reduce expenses and celebrate with fewer food items than usual. It was less extravagant but more heartfelt,” he said.

Kusalani Nimesha, 28, a manager of student enrolment and services, said that this year’s New Year felt different compared to previous years – a sentiment shared by many across the country. She noted that, like the majority of Sri Lankans, she had felt the impact of the rising cost of living, prompting a more modest approach. 

Keeping traditions alive

For Nimesha, the New Year was deeply personal: “Since my father passed away recently, Avurudu will be a quiet and simple time with family, focusing more on being together and remembering him,” she said. 

Living in Colombo while her family resides elsewhere, she added that she was looking forward to reconnecting with them and spending quality time. “Traditions now mean more in terms of togetherness, gratitude, and hoping for strength and better days ahead rather than celebration,” she said.

Prasadini Asha, a 53-year-old homemaker, told The Sunday Morning that she feared that this year’s New Year season would be much more difficult than previous years. She said: “Expenses are just too high. This New Year, the gas shortage is affecting me very seriously. As far as I know, this gas issue started even before the war and we are suffering immensely because of it.”

Asha emphasised that with the current economic situation and the war, by the time the New Year approached, the price of nearly every item had increased, making even cooking a struggle. “Relatives come to our house for the New Year. I’m afraid to cook a meal or make extra food and drinks for them because I’m worried about what will happen when the gas runs out,” she said. Asha noted that in previous years she had been able to prepare ample food and traditional sweets, whereas now she has had to limit even daily meals to conserve gas.

“We can’t stop celebrating the New Year. We have a culture we have been accustomed to for generations. We are bound to those traditions; we can’t just abandon them. Our children will only carry this culture forward by watching us practise it. If we stop because it’s difficult, these traditions will break,” she added.

“I don’t think the excitement we felt as children exists in our hearts anymore. I’m not sure if even our children feel it. When the enthusiasm from our side fades, children lose interest too. That excitement just disappears.”

Costs turn rituals into obligations

Adding to such concerns, a 47-year-old private school teacher from Nugegoda noted that there was far less excitement for the New Year this time compared to previous years. Rituals, once eagerly anticipated, now felt more like obligations.

“I spend the New Year with my family, especially my grandparents, whom I don’t get to visit often,” said 23-year-old Kaveesha Perera. He highlighted that the New Year was primarily a time for family, which he feared was being threatened by the prolonged fuel crisis. However, he remained hopeful that despite current challenges, the festive season would still bring some measure of joy to the country.

A 42-year-old father of two from Nawala, who requested anonymity, expressed concern that rising prices made it a little difficult to prepare traditional sweetmeats this year. “Usually, Avurudu means kokis and potato toffee for my children because they are young. I’m worried that we won’t have the time or money to make those this year,” he said.