It's fine to perform activities, including eating, at two auspicious times - Secretary of the Ministry of Culture

For the first time in its history, the Department of Cultural Affairs of Sri Lanka has decided to refrain from issuing an official 'nakath seettuwa' (auspicious times sheet) for the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

This decision is based on the crisis that arose in the year 2024. At that time, several parties strongly protested that the auspicious times (nakath welawan) issued by the department were erroneous. Due to that controversial situation, during the tenure of the then Minister Vidura Wickramanayake, steps were taken to completely dissolve the official New Year Auspicious Times Committee, and it has not been reconvened for over a year and a half.

Explaining the matter, Mr. Prince Senadheera, Secretary to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, emphasized that no official auspicious times (nakath) publication will be made by the government this time. Since two different groups have already presented two contradictory auspicious times sheets (nakath seettu) to society, the Secretary has also pointed out that the public has complete freedom to follow any series of auspicious times they prefer and trust to perform the New Year rituals.

Given this situation, it will be impossible to prevent a chaotic situation from arising, where various people perform the New Year rituals, including the dawn of the New Year, lighting the hearth, and partaking in meals – which have traditionally been celebrated by everyone at the same time as Sinhala New Year auspicious times – in different ways. This will inevitably lead to the creation of a cultural division for the Sinhala New Year.

However, a group of veteran astrologers has expressed their deep concern regarding this decision. They recall that since 1991, authorities have continuously presented an official auspicious times (nakath) leaflet to the nation with state patronage every year. Therefore, the astrologers have further pointed out that the absence of such a publication this time will create severe confusion among the entire populace when performing traditional rituals.