The Sinhalese and Tamil communities in Sri Lanka celebrate the Aluth Avurudda – their mutual New Year. The festival coincides with the end of harvest, so the bounty from colorful fruit trees fuels celebrations. Festivities are prepared well in advance and most of the country grinds to a halt as people travel home to be with their families. A variety of domestic rituals take place, determined by astrological calculations, like lighting the fire and making kiribath (milk rice).

Once all customs are done, the celebrations begin as families gather in the streets and homes are thrown open. The ubiquitous plantain is dished out alongside celebratory feasts of Kawum (small oil cakes), Kokis and Athiraha.