Sri Lanka holiday calendar
Public holidays in Sri Lanka 2026
Calendar compilation last reviewed
Plan the year with every Sri Lanka public holiday, regional date and major cultural observance in our calendar. Each entry links to a detailed guide covering its history, status, traditions and sources.
- Public holidays
- 26
- Regional dates
- 0
- Observances
- 0
- Substitute dates
- 0
How public holidays work in Sri Lanka
The calendar separates public holidays from regional dates and cultural observances. Public holidays are the broadest category in our Sri Lanka calendar. Regional holidays may apply only in a particular state, province, territory or community, while an observance does not automatically mean that workplaces, schools or public services close.
No separate substitute dates are currently listed for 2026. Weekend and time-off rules can still vary by employer, region and holiday, so consult the linked guide and primary source before making arrangements. May is the busiest month, with 5 listed dates.
Sri Lanka holiday dates in 2026
The table lists 26 calendar entries. Follow a holiday name for its full background, observance details and traditions.
| Date | Holiday | Type | Observed day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duruthu PoyaJanuary full-moon public holiday marking the opening Poya of the Gregorian year and a period of Buddhist worship, offerings and reflection. | Public holiday | — | |
| Thai PongalJanuary 15 public holiday celebrating the Tamil harvest festival through gratitude, new rice, family visits and devotion. | Public holiday | — | |
| Nawam PoyaFebruary full-moon public holiday associated with important early Buddhist assemblies and temple observance. | Public holiday | — | |
| Independence DayFebruary 4 national public holiday commemorating Sri Lanka’s independence from British rule in 1948. | Public holiday | — | |
| Maha ShivaratriMajor Hindu public holiday of worship, fasting and night-long devotion to Shiva. | Public holiday | — | |
| Medin PoyaMarch full-moon public holiday recalling the Buddha’s visit to his family and a time for temple worship and reflection. | Public holiday | — | |
| Eid ul-FitrPublic holiday ending Ramadan, marked by prayer, family hospitality, festive food and charitable giving in Sri Lanka’s Muslim communities. | Public holiday | — | |
| Bak PoyaApril full-moon public holiday associated with early Buddhist history on the island, worship and the new-year season. | Public holiday | — | |
| Good FridayChristian public holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ through church services, prayer and quiet remembrance. | Public holiday | — | |
| New Year EveApril 13 public holiday giving households time to prepare for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. | Public holiday | — | |
| Sinhala & Tamil New YearApril 14 public holiday welcoming the traditional new year through auspicious rituals, family meals, gifts and games. | Public holiday | — | |
| May DayMay 1 public holiday recognising workers and labour movements through rallies, speeches and family time. | Public holiday | — | |
| Vesak PoyaMay full-moon public holiday honouring the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing, marked by lanterns, alms-giving and temple worship. | Public holiday | — | |
| Day after VesakThe second public holiday of Sri Lanka’s Vesak period, extending time for worship, visiting and community service. | Public holiday | — | |
| Eid ul-AdhaPublic holiday during Eid ul-Adha, centred on prayer, family hospitality, sharing and charitable care. | Public holiday | — | |
| Adhi Poson PoyaAn additional full-moon Poya public holiday listed in Sri Lanka’s 2026 approved calendar; it is a calendrical occurrence rather than a fixed annual Gregorian festival. | Public holiday | — | |
| Poson PoyaJune full-moon public holiday commemorating the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka, especially at Mihintale and Anuradhapura. | Public holiday | — | |
| Esala PoyaJuly full-moon public holiday during the Kandy Esala Perahera season, a major period of Buddhist and cultural observance. | Public holiday | — | |
| Milad-un-NabiPublic holiday marking the birth of the Prophet Muhammad through prayer, religious teaching, community programmes and charity. | Public holiday | — | |
| Nikini PoyaAugust full-moon public holiday associated with Buddhist monastic tradition and a time for temple worship. | Public holiday | — | |
| Binara PoyaSeptember full-moon public holiday associated with the Buddhist order of nuns and devotional observance. | Public holiday | — | |
| Vap PoyaOctober full-moon public holiday associated with Buddhist monastic discipline and the end of the rainy retreat season. | Public holiday | — | |
| DeepavaliHindu festival of lights public holiday, marked through lamps, family worship, sweets and the symbolic victory of light over darkness. | Public holiday | — | |
| Ill PoyaNovember full-moon public holiday associated with the first Buddhist missionary journey and temple observance. | Public holiday | — | |
| Unduvap PoyaDecember full-moon public holiday recalling the arrival of the sacred Bodhi tree in Sri Lanka and Buddhist devotional practice. | Public holiday | — | |
| Christmas DayDecember 25 public holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ through church worship, family meals, music and giving. | Public holiday | — |
Sources for Sri Lanka holidays
Calendar dates and classifications are checked against the primary calendar sources below. Historical and cultural claims have additional citations on each individual holiday guide.
- documents.gov.lkPrimary calendar source