The government-approved auspicious times guide for the Sinhala New Year is released.

The 2026 New Year auspicious times (Nakath Seettuwa), which received the general consensus of astrologers, was presented this morning (17) to the Venerable Maha Sangha, led by the Mahanayaka Theros.

Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senewi, and Private Secretary Anil Abeygunawardena participated in the occasion of presenting the said auspicious times sheet to them. The standard auspicious times are as follows.

Sighting the New Moon 

It is auspicious to sight the new moon on Friday, March 20th for the new lunar year, and on Sunday, April 19th for the new solar year.

Placing the oil pot on the hearth 

On Sunday, April 5th, at 11:08 AM, dressed in red and yellow mixed or copper-colored attire, facing the South, set up the hearth, light the fire, place the oil pot on it, and prepare the New Year sweetmeats.

Bathing for the Old Year On Monday, April 13th, it is auspicious to bathe after applying herbal paste mixed with wood apple leaf juice, and engage in the remembrance of guardian deities.

Dawn of the New Year 

On Tuesday, April 14th, at 09:32 AM, the Sinhala New Year dawns.

Auspicious Period 

Since the auspicious period (Punya Kalaya) is from 03:08 AM to 03:56 PM on Tuesday, April 14th, it is auspicious to consume food and drinks before this period, cease all work, and engage in religious observances, spiritual activities, charitable deeds, and Punya Kalaya rituals. It is also auspicious to perform the auspicious rituals such as cooking food, eating, commencing work, and engaging in transactions as follows.

Cooking Food (Lighting the Hearth) 

On Tuesday, April 14th, at 10:51 AM, dressed in red attire and ornaments, facing the South, set up the hearth, light the fire, and prepare milk rice, a type of sweetmeat, curd, and popped rice.

Commencing Work, Transactions, and Eating Food 

On Tuesday, April 14th, at 12:06 PM, dressed in red attire and ornaments, facing the South, it is auspicious to commence all work, engage in transactions, and consume food.

Anointing the Head with Oil 

On Wednesday, April 15th, at 6:55 AM, dressed in emerald green or green attire and ornaments, facing the East, place neem leaves on the head and 'kolon' leaves on the feet, apply herbal paste mixed with neem leaf juice and oil, and bathe.

Departing for Urgent Duties 

On Friday, April 17th, at 05:38 AM, dressed in golden-colored attire and ornaments, consume milk rice mixed with curd, traditional buttermilk, and a sweetmeat mixed with black gram, then depart facing the North.

Departing for Work/Employment 

On Monday, April 20th, at 06:27 AM, dressed in white attire and ornaments, consume milk rice and a sweetmeat mixed with cow's milk, then depart facing the South. Alternatively, on Monday, April 20th, at 06:50 AM, dressed in pearl and white attire and ornaments, consume milk rice mixed with ghee and sesame, and a sweetmeat with milk and 'aggala', then depart facing the East.

Planting Saplings 

On Thursday, April 23rd, at 09:01 AM, dressed in golden-colored attire and ornaments, it is auspicious to plant saplings facing the North.