Sri Lanka, March 17 -- The government has released the 'Avurudu Nekath Seettuwa' for this year's Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

Accoridngly, Sri Lankans celebrate the dawn of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year on April 14.

The New Year, known as 'Aluth Avurudda' in Sinhala, and 'Puththandu' in Tamil, is celebrated by both communities by observing various rituals and customs.

According to traditional astrological belief, the Sun completes its movement across the twelve segments of the Zodiac in the course of a year taking one month to travel each constellation.

The transition of the Sun from the House of Pisces to the House of Aries marks the beginning of the New Year (Aluth Avurudu).

A number of customs and traditional beliefs are associate...