MAHA SIVARATHRI

The Hindu festival of Maha Sivarathri, or .The Great Night of Shiva., is celebrated in late February or early March in Hindu homes and temples across the country. This is the most important religious festival of the year for Shaivites, who comprise the majority of Sri Lanka.s Hindus. It is a deeply symbolic occasion: poojas are held at kovils during the day and can be witnessed by visitors, and every Hindu household keeps an all-night vigil.

VESAK POYA DAY

The most important Buddhist full moon day is in May . Vesak Poya - which marks the Buddha.s birth, enlightenment and passing away (Pariniwana). Large pandals (bamboo frameworks) hung with pictures depicting events in the life of the Buddha are erected in the streets, illuminated by flashing coloured light bulbs. Roadside dansalas (stalls) offering free food and soft drinks to passers-by are notable features of the event. Among the many striking Vesak decorations are intricate paper lanterns of different shapes and sizes, and little clay coconut oil lamps (pol-thel pahana) that flicker throughout the island. Visitors to Sri Lanka at this time will not fail to witness and be moved by the beautiful displays of lanterns outside every Buddhist home, business and temple.

POSON POYA DAY

Poson Poya is second in importance to Vesak since it commemorates the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka in 247BC. The focus of this festival is the ancient capital of the country, Anuradhapura, and the mountainous Mihintale Temple, reached by 1,840 steps, where King Devanampiyatissa was converted to Buddhism in the third century BC. During Poson, the mountain is illuminated and devotees climb the steps in their thousands to pay homage to the event.

ARUGAM BAY SURF COMPETETION

The UK Pro Surf Tour has announced it will be returning to Sri Lanka in July this year for the “Sri Lanka Champion of Champions Surf Contest” at Arugam Bay. Renowned as one of the best ‘point breaks’ in the world, Arugam Bay is situated on the East coast of Sri Lanka, which is now accessible as a result of the recent end to the civil unrest in the country.The 2009 Championships, which take place on July 1-6, will see 48 surfers fighting it out to become the ultimate champion including some of UK’s top professional surfers, international stars and local Sri Lankan surfers.

Venue: BMICH - Colombo.

 

Exhibition Trade Fair & Symposium was held recently at Colombo Hilton. Hon. Piyasena Gamage, M.P, Minister of Indigenous Medicine was the Chief Guest. High officials from the Ministry of Indigenous Medicine, Ministry of External Affairs, Dept of Commerce and Sri Lanka Export Development Department, graced the occasion.The event was well covered by several T.V.Media Stations, Newspapers Sinhala, English and Tamil and received wide publicity from the Media. Principal Sponsor -Siddhalepa, Gold sponsors -Baraka, Link Natural, Janet Real Herbs and Silver Sponsors – Nature Secrets & Tree of Life.

 

More: www.ayurveda-expo.com

Contact:

Ms. Devi Emmanuel
Co-ordinator
The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka,
No: 450, D. R. Wijewardena Mawatha,
Colombo 10,
Sri Lanka.

KATARAGAMA FESTIVAL

In the southeast of the island, the sacred site of Kataragama is brought to life with its unique annual Esala festival, which commemorates the victory of the six-faced, 12-armed Hindu war god, Skanda, over an army of demons at Kataragama. Naturally, many Hindu devotees make the pilgrimage to the shrine, but Buddhists, Muslims and some Christians also honour this god. During this 10-day festival pilgrims demonstrate their sincerity by performing astonishing acts of penance and self-mortification. These include walking barefoot atop hot coals and spearing themselves with hooks.

At Dondra, Sri Lanka's southernmost point, just five kilometers from Matara, a notable festival dedicated to Lord Vishnu featuring low-country dances, traditional rituals, a perahera and a handicrafts fair, is held in July. During the same month and commencing on the Esala Poya day is a seven-day festival with a perahera in Unawatuna, near Galle, where thousands of devotees descend on the village and beach.
At Bellanwilla, just south of Colombo, another perahera takes place during the week-long poya festivities held at the historic Rajamaha Vihara.Hindus celebrate a festival known as Vel in July to mark the triumph of Lord Murugan (another aspect of the war god Skanda) over evil powers. A magnificent silver-plated chariot bearing a statue of Lord Murugan leaves a kovil in the Pettah district of Colombo and is pulled to a shrine in another district, Bambalapitiya, followed by musicians and devotees smashing coconuts and singing songs of praise to Lord Shiva. Along the route there are stalls selling sweet delicacies, souvenirs, and handicrafts to passers-by.
The Munneswaram Temple, three kilometres from Chilaw, is another focus of celebration for Hindus in July as they celebrate with fire walking in devotion to Lord Shiva while another small festival is held at the seaside shrine of Udappuwa.

RIDING HOLIDAYS FROM CLUB HOTEL DOLPHIN

The Premadasa Riding School together with Club Hotel Dolphin will commence a series of riding holidays for holiday enthusiasts both Sri Lankan and in house foreign guests.
The programmes are scheduled to start in July – August. There will be special events for children. In addition, an Amateur Dressage competition will be organized by the hotel in August.

RAMAZAN FESTIVAL DAY

Coming with the new moon, the festival marks the end of 'Ramadan a month when Muslims fast throughout the day and eat only at night Prayers, feasts and family get- together are the major highlights of the celebrations. It was during this month that the holy Koran was revealed. Eid means recurring happiness or festivity. Eid is celebrated in India with much enthusiasm and fervor and Muslims from all strata of life can be seen adorned in beautiful new clothes, visiting the mosques to attend Salatul Eid (Eid prayers). Greetings of "Eid-Mubarak" or "a blessed Eid" are exchanged.

TUK TUK RALLY

The Lanka Challenge 2009 is a first ever rally featuring auto rishaws or trishaws more commonly known as ‘tuk-tuks. Travellers from all over the world will descend upon the island nation of Sri Lanka to take part in the 2009 Lankan
challenge which.The point of this challenge is two fold. One it tests the participants racing skills; driving a tuk tuk is no mean task.42 people will be divided into 20 teams will cover 1200 kms in 10 days with a chance of winning 1000 USD.

ART BIENNALE

Colombo will host the first ever Art Biennale at Park Street Mews. The Theme for this year's event is Peace. Joining Dubai, Bangladesh, Singapore, New York, Sydney and Venice, Colombo's Biennale aims to encourage and show contemporary art from Sri Lanka. International artists have shown interest and, plans are underway to accomodate artists from the region and EEC.

SIGIRIYA RALLY CROSS

This event will be held at the Air Force Camp, 8.30 a.m. onwards. It is organised by Sri Lanka Air Force in Association with SLARDAR, in aid of SLAF welfare Projects.

WORLD TOURISM WEEK

A host of events have been planned for the Week. including a shramada by school school children, all Island essay writing, painting and poster competition under the patronage of HE President Mahinda Rajapakse and direction of Honourable Minister of Tourism, Nandana Gunathilake, have been planned in order to celebrate the first World Tourism Day in a united and peaceful Sri Lanka.

THEATRE- STORMY WEATHER

See the life story of Noel Richards - the lover, the wife and the sister, three strong women in His life. A cast consisting of Dilrukshi Fonseka, Shanuki De Alwis Michelle Herft and others. At the Punchi Theartre Borella - 7.30 p.m.

MOVIE - " Son Frere" by Patrice Chereau.
At the Alliance Francaise Colombo
3 pm onwards Tel + 94 26941 62

EXHIBITION - The art of George Beven
Exhibition of paintings
Barefoot Gallery
Tel : + 94 250 5559

JAZZ FESTIVAL

The Colombo Blues and Jazz festival concept was derived from the jazz festivals all round the world such as Montreal or the Rhode Island Jazz festivals and more recently the Bombay Jazz festiva.l Jazz is an expression of freedom and in the last 10 years has grown in tremendous volume in the Sri Lankan circles.Await more information.

RAID AMAZONE (RA) AT DAMBULLA CAMP SITE

The Raid Amazones is a multi-sport adventure rally exclusively reserved for women. The race takes place over a 6 or 8-day period. A train will be taken to trincomalee with the 260 participants for a day- creating maximum coverage on Trincomalee. There are no cash prizes, and this is a deliberate choice – what is to be gained here is the unique experience that these women are going to share – that of living and working together for a week at the far end of the world. (However, the winning team is invited back for the following year’s competition). For more information contact www.raidamazones.com .

 The EXTREME FOUR WHEELERS TROPHY 2011

This event gives an opportunity for many Sri Lankan Four Wheel drivers to exhibit their talent. It will attract many spectators - local and foreign. Among the participants will be extreme four wheel drivers who have participated in many national and international events including most of the rain forest challenges.

ID Ul ALHA (HADJI FESTIVAL DAY)

Eid ul-Adha (عيد الأضحى), or the Festival of Sacrifice is a public and bank holiday in Sri Lanka. Muslims all over the world celebrate this holy day. It falls approximately 70 days after Eid ul-Fitr (end of Ramadan) and is celebrated in honor of the prophet Abraham willingness to sacrifice his son as a proof of his loyalty to God. Celebrations usually include presenting an animal (usually a cow or a sheep) sacrifice, and the meat is shared with family, friends and those in need. The festival also marks the end of the Pilgrimage or Hajj to Mecca. During the Hajj, male pilgrims are required to dress only in a garment consisting of two sheets of white unhemmed cloth, with the top draped over the torso and the bottom secured by a white sash; plus a pair of sandals.

WHALES WATCHING

Sri Lanka is one of the best places in the world to see blue whales in their natural habitat. Sperm whales, killer whales, pilot whales and dolphins are also regularly spotted on whale watching trips organized from Mirissa on the south coast. Since the continental shelf is at its narrowest close to Dondra Head, Sri Lanka.s southernmost point, the deep water provides ideal feeding ground for migrating whales from November to April.

CHRISTMAS DAY

NATIONAL BIRD MONTH

Sri Lanka is home to many colorful birds. Over 400 birds including 33 endemics and 200 migrants have been observed on Sri Lankan soil. The Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL) the national affiliate of BirdLife International declared the month of December as the National Bird Month. December is the peak of the Bird. Migration season and will record the highest number of birds.Many activities are being organised to educate the public on the subject of birds . Participants can simply go out bird-watching to as many places as possible. This data can be fed online and will be later analyzed and used for conservation purposes. Organized by: Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL) .

THE GALLE FILM FESTIVAL 

In December the Historic, Dutch Maritime fort of Galle will welcome Sri Lanka's first ever International film festival. It was first launched in 2008

Supported by  Sri Lanka Tourist promotion Board and the  National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka, the Galle Film Festival will open with Sri Lankan film director Vimukthi Jayasunderas film ‘Ahasin Wetei’ one of the main competitors at this years Venice Film Festival.  The festivalwill also premier number of International and South Asian films along with the directors and cast. For more information visit.