Events
11th – 14th January 2007
The Galle Literary Festival –
Come & experience the Sri Lanka’s first literary festival to held in Galle.
A 4 day program bringing the best Sri Lankan & international authors from around the world. The program will include cooking classes, writing workshops, keynote speakers, exhibitions and walking tours and much more.
For more information on how you can be a part of this exciting event contact:
libbysouthwell@yahoo.com.au
14th – 17th February 2007
The 6th International Ceylon Elephant Polo Tournament
The polo season in Sri Lanka is in February every year, where teams from around the world compete in the heaviest team sport in front of the historic ramparts of Fort Galle. This thrilling & very photogenic sport has now become one of the highlights of the Sri Lankan sporting and social calendar. Whether you are a player or a spectator the week's events reflect the spirit & eccentricity of Sri Lanka.
For more information on the tournament and how you can attend the gala ball on the magical Taprobane Island contact: info@thesunhouse.com
17th February 2007
The Elephant Polo Gala Ball on Taprobane Island
For more information or to purchase tickets contact: info@thesunhouse.com
April
Flower Show
Nuwara Eliya located high up in the misty mountains is in full bloom during April. The flower show and garden competitions are held in Nuwara Eliya during this time of the year.
12th April – 14th April
Sinhala and Tamil New Year
The dawning of the traditional Sinhalese and Tamil New Year is celebrated with religious observances, preparation of sweetmeats, and the people engage themselves in traditional sports and cultural events.
2007 dates will be announced soon.
May
Vesak Festival
Vesak is the main Buddhist religious festival in Sri Lanka, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of the Lord Buddha. The country is lit up by the colourful lanterns and pandals, religious ceremonies and alms giving are also very common during this season.
July
Kataragama Festival
The Kataragama festival is another of the major Esala Festivals. Kataragama in the South-East corner of the island is a jungle shrine dedicated to God Skanda and is a popular pilgrim centre for Buddhists and Hindus. Fire walking and the annual perahera in July/August are some of its highlights.
Bellanwila Perahera
Held at the Rajamaha Vihara (Buddhist temple) at Bellanwila, just south of Colombo, the Bellanwila Perahera is a colourful pageant.
31st July – 10th August (Kandy Perahera)
Esala (July/August) is the seasons of festivals in Sri Lanka and the full moon day of Esala is the climax of some of the festivals. The most magnificent of these festivals is the Kandy Esala Perahera. A spectacular medieval day pageant is held for 10 nights climaxing with the Kandyan dancers and drummers in colourful traditional costumes. Kandyan Chieftains in medieval court dress, more than one hundred caparisoned elephants whip crackers, torch bearers etc., make it an unforgettable experience.
28th August (Vel Festival)
A highly decorated Vel chariot parades the streets of Colombo annually carrying the weapons of God Skanda from one Hindu temple to the other.
8th September – 10th September
World Spice Festival
Colombo will come alive with a sensational line up of culinary delights created by a host of international chefs.
The dishes will draw on both a fusion of Sri Lankan spices and the signature spices of the countries or regions taking part in the festival, including Thailand, Indonesia, Africa, China, Australia, India and Malaysia.
22nd October
Deepavali
The Hindu community in Sri Lanka celebrate Deepavali - the festival of light.
23rd October
Eid-ul-Fitr – End of Ramadan
25th October – 28th October
Golf Championship
11th Sri Lankan Airlines Golf Classic is to be held from 25th – 28th October 2006 at the magnificent Victoria Golf and Country Resort, Digana, Kandy.
15th December
Sangamitta Day
Sri Lanka’s Buddhist community at Anuradhapura commemorate the historic event of bringing the right sapling of the sacred Bo-tree under which Gauthama Buddha attained enlightenment in India.
|
