Sri Lankan New Year is a joyful festival celebrated to ensure a good harvest and to bring prosperity and happiness to the country. Sinhala Buddhists call it Aluth Avurudu, while Tamil Hindus name it Puthandu. The date of Sinhala & Tamil New Year is determined by astrologists. Sinhala Avurudu/Tamil Puththandu occurs when the Sun moves from Meena Rashiya to Mesha Rashiya finishing a 12-month cycle. The holiday always falls between April 12th and 15th.