State Oil-Anointing Ceremony at Sri Dalada Maligawa

COLOMBO (News 1st); The State Oil-Anointing Ceremony marking the Sinhala and Tamil New Year 2026 was held this morning (15) at the Sri Maha Natha Devalaya premises within the historic Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The ceremony was conducted in accordance with long-standing New Year traditions and customs through the joint organisation of the Ministry of Health and Mass Media and the Department of Ayurveda.

The event took place under the guidance and blessings of the Chief Prelates of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters.

Earlier in the morning, President Dissanayake visited the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, where he engaged in religious observances and received blessings in celebration of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. Following these observances, the President proceeded to the Sri Maha Natha Devalaya to take part in the State Oil-Anointing Ceremony.

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 present at the ceremony.

Members of the Maha Sangha chanted Seth Pirith and invoked blessings on the President and the public, reaffirming the traditional belief in health, well-being, and prosperity associated with the ritual.

After the religious rites, President Dissanayake engaged in friendly conversation with those present and inquired about their well-being, while members of the public extended their New Year greetings to the President.