Auspicious 2026 New Year Rituals Begin

The State Oil-Anointing Ceremony for the 2026 New Year was held at the premises of the Sri Maha Natha Devalaya within the historic Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The ceremony was organized in accordance with traditional New Year customs through the joint efforts of the Ministry of Health and Mass Media and the Department of Ayurveda.

The event was held under the guidance of the Chief Prelates of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters of the Siam Nikaya of the Maha Vihara tradition.

Earlier this morning (15th), the President visited the historic Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic to engage in religious observances and receive blessings for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year before attending the State Oil-Anointing Ceremony.

Following the religious rites, at the auspicious time of 6:55 a.m., the Anunayake Thera of the Malwathu Chapter, Venerable Dimbulkumbure Wimaladhamma Thera, ceremonially anointed oil on the President and those in attendance. During the ritual, members of the Maha Sangha chanted the Seth Pirith to invoke blessings on the President and the public.

After the ceremony, the President mingled with members of the public gathered at the temple premises for the ritual, engaging in friendly conversation and inquiring about their well-being. The public, in turn, extended their New Year greetings to the President.