New Year in Sri Lanka

We have got the option to be back in the hotel by the 13 April which i belive is New Years eve, after doing our tour or being in Dambulla on the 13 April, and back to the hotel by the 14th.

Can any one recommend where will be best to get the real feel for the New Year.

Also if it is classed as a bank holiday, are all the main tourist sights going to be closed or do they stay open.

Thanks in advance for any help and advice.

New Year in Sri Lanka

Hi Cinderella,

It%26#39;s mainly a family and temple visit event, not so much public in the street. But the family parties now, for those locals who can afford, move partly to the hotels also.

So whether in Dambulla or in a beach hotel, you WILL get a feel of what Sinhala/Tamil NY means.

The major sights are open around that period, with the possible exception of 14th (most risk in morning). But check locally to make sure.

All the best,

%26lt;Erik%26gt; %26amp; [Sandya]

New Year in Sri Lanka

Hi,

9th April (Poya), 10th April (Good Friday) and 13th %26amp; 14th April are all bank holidays, so banks are closed from 9th April to 14th April (both incl.)

Hans

Thank you both for your replies, can you please tell me will the banks at the airport be open 09 April when we land to change some money for tipping etc.

Thanks again.

Hi again,

Yep these are the exception, and open on 365 days (and most even 24 hours) so also on bank holidays. And for completeness: in Colombo Fort there%26#39;s a tourist branch of Bank of Ceylon which is also open on bank holidays. But who needs these offices anyhow sooo much in the times of ATM%26#39;s ;-)

Regards,

%26lt;Erik%26gt; %26amp; [Sandya]

Hi,

To get the real feeling of the Sinhala new year I wouldn鈥檛 recommend you to be in a beach hotel and the best would be in a hotel where you have an easy access to a village where you can really enjoy the feeling the Sinhala Hindu New year. Somewhere in Cultural triangle is highly recommended. Cinnamon Lodge, Chaaya Village habarana, Amaya Lake Dambulla are few examples. In addition, some of the Kandy hotels organize New Year celebrations with the real feeling of the Sinhala-Hindu New year.

Nishantha

Ahhh good useful info to know as we land on the 9th too :)

Thank you all for your help and advice.

I have now stopped counting the weeks, and gone onto days. Only 76 left. Soooooooooooo excited.

Backtoback where are you flying from, and where are you staying.

We are flying Kingfisher from Heathrow and staying at the Wunderbar Beach club in bentota! Yourself?

We are going from Gatwick with First Choice, staying at Club Dolphin.

Hope you have a great time.