A New Year awash with colour and hope View(s):By Dilushi WijesingheAs the clock struck midnight, bursts of colour lit up the skyline as Sri Lanka stepped into 2026 with a blend of devotion and celebration in the wake of recent hardships caused by Cyclone Ditwah. While some welcomed the New Year with music and fireworks, thousands marked the transition with religious observances. Buddhist temples saw devotees offering flowers, lighting oil lamps, chants echoing softly through the shrine rooms. Pilgrims at Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak) marked the New Year with religious observances along the sacred trail. Having lost homes to floods, residents came together for religious observances, created intricate rice art, and prepared pongal rice.

Source: Sunday Times January 04, 2026 07:01 UTC