Sri Lanka, April 21 -- The New Year festival was held on April 14 at the Devala premises in Kataragama. The presentation of the annual budget and offering the first portion of paddy cultivation yields to the Gods were some of the rituals at the event.

Apart from the traditional rituals that have been continued since King Dutugemunu's reign, everything was executed perfectly. The procession concluded after visiting the Walli Kovil. A large crowd of Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims had gathered in Kataragama during the festival.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka)....