Featuring elephants, dancers and musicians parading in the streets in a burst of colour, the colourful Perahera resonates the traditions and religious culture of the country's Buddhist masses at its best.

The event, which claims a special place of its own in the cultural and religious calendar of the country, attracts a large number of local and foreign visitors every year.

The following are several colourful pics of this year's event.

(Pics : Nishantha Priyadarshana)