Many Animals Selected for New Year Oil Anointing Ceremony

 

One of the main attractions at the Dehiwala National Zoological Gardens—a majestic Tortis  around 153 years old—has been chosen for the traditional Sinhala and Tamil New Year oil anointing ceremony, which will take place on Wednesday, April 16. The special event will commence at 9:04 AM, offering visitors to the zoo the opportunity to witness this culturally significant ritual.

According to Anoma Priyadarshani, the Zoo’s Director of Operations, this ceremony is part of the zoo's New Year celebrations. Alongside the elder Tortis , other animals such as elephants, zebras, hippopotamuses, leopards, lion cubs (like Simba), deer, and some birds have also been selected to take part in this oil anointing tradition.

Weighing over 400 kilograms, the elderly elephant is regarded as a beloved and iconic figure of the zoo. Historically significant, the elephant originally roamed the grounds of the National Museum Gardens and was gifted to the Dehiwala Zoo in 1930.

Zoo authorities state that the purpose of organizing this traditional oil anointing ceremony is to preserve Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage and to introduce such customs to future generations. Visitors are warmly invited to be part of this unique celebration during the festive New Year period.