A two-day cultural festival titled “Rhythm of Lanka” will be held on December 19 and 20, 2026, aimed at reconnecting the younger generations of overseas Sri Lankans with their homeland, cultural identity and heritage.

According to the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, organised by Ranwala Balakaya, the national-level initiative will primarily focus on third and fourth-generation Sri Lankans living abroad, particularly those with limited direct cultural and social connections to Sri Lanka.

The programme seeks to introduce young members of the Sri Lankan diaspora to the country’s traditions, heritage and family ties, while encouraging them to develop lasting cultural connections with their homeland.

The festival will feature two main events, beginning with a Grand Cultural Show on December 19.

This will be followed by Sri Lankan Social Day on December 20, bringing together dance groups arriving from overseas, families, children living in Sri Lanka and friends for a special gathering aimed at strengthening friendships and cultural exchange.

The initiative also seeks to connect Sri Lankan communities living across different countries through economic, social and cultural engagement, while further strengthening their relationship with Sri Lanka.

The Presidential Secretariat and the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat will undertake the overall coordination of the programme.

The event will also receive support and contributions from several public and private institutions, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Western Provincial Council. (Newswire)

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The Ramadan Task Force appointed by the Western Provincial Council has announced the launch of the campaign titled ‘SALAM RAMADAN’ to be held from 21 to 31 March 2025 in Colombo.

Coinciding with the Holy Month of Ramadan, the campaign is aimed at enhancing the Ramadan experience in the city of Colombo through an illuminated atmosphere and a cultural festival at ‘Green Path’ during this period.  

‘Salam Ramadan’, is a citywide, social initiative by the Western Provincial Council, to address the gaps in awareness and understanding in the country about the religion of Islam, the Holy Month of Ramadan, and the cultural and traditional practices of the Sri Lankan Muslim Community. 

Conceptualized as a hybrid festival of food, culture and tradition, associated with the Holy Month of Ramadan and the Sri Lankan Muslim community, the initiative is in keeping with the Government of Sri Lanka’s vision of building unity through celebrating cultural diversity and strengthening community ties. 

To that end, the festival would enhance the Ramadan experience by fostering a festive atmosphere, greater community participation, economic engagement, and interfaith understanding, similar to how religious and cultural festivals of other communities in Sri Lanka are celebrated in the country.  

Addressing the media yesterday, speaking on the vision behind this initiative, the Chairman of the Ramadan Task Force, Rizan Nazeer, stated, “Ramadan is more than just a month of fasting. There is so much more to share with our fellow Sri Lankans in terms of cultural  practices, traditions, food and so on.” 

“When you take into account that the Sri Lankan Muslim community comprises four ethnic groups, namely the Moors, Memons, Malays and Dawoodi Bohras; each of whom has a vibrant tapestry of cultural norms that make them unique from the other, the potential for bridge-building through a festival of this nature is immense,” Nazeer added.

The ‘Salam Ramadan’ campaign is scheduled to launch from 21 to 31 March 2025 at Green Path, Colombo. (Newswire)

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