Big Matches are the greatly celebrated annual cricket matches played between different rival schools in the country. It is a tradition hailing back to over a century ago and is a time that commemorates the school spirit, camaraderie and legacies despite a competitive essence is a cherished experience, uniting students young and old and is now part and parcel of the fabric of the country’s cultural backdrop.
This wonderful traditional two month foot pilgrimage named Pāda Yātrā is an essential constituent of Sri Lanka’s multi-cultural ethos. The pilgrimage happens in May-July from Jaffna to Kataragama traveling from one sacred site to another as a traditional procession led by village devotees who represent the rural voice of Sri Lanka. Over 30,000 pilgrims walked the final leg through Yala National Park in 2004.
