Sri Lanka, April 11 -- The sound of the familiar koha (or the 'asian koel'), chanting the rhythmic tune, which millions of Sri Lankans wake up to, is a sign that 'Avurudu' (New Year) is near.

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year is not just a celebration of the dawn of a new year, but also that of unity, cultural enrichment and a sense of family unity. This is all demonstrated, for example, in the 'boiling of milk' ritual, where milk is boiled in a new clay pot and the time when the whole family sits down to have the auspicious meal.

Each ritual, from the boiling of the milk to the auspicious meal to what you wear, is decided by astrologers who determine the precise astrological time and dress codes for various rituals. The dawn of the New Ye...