National Holidays in Sri Lanka in 2026
Upcoming Holidays in Sri Lanka
Touch a holiday for details
: Duruthu Full Moon Poya
- Marks the first of Buddha's three visits to Sri Lanka, on the first full moon after his enlightenment
- More details about Duruthu Full Moon Poya
: Tamil Thai Pongal Day
- A popular harvest and thanksgiving festival marking the start of spring
- More details about Tamil Thai Pongal Day
: Navam Full Moon Poya
- Celebrates the appointment of Buddha's two chief disciples and the first-ever Buddhist Council held after the passing away of Lord Buddha
- More details about Navam Full Moon Poya
: National Day
- On this day in 1948, the South Asian island country gained its political independence after more than five centuries of colonial rule.
- More details about National Day
: Mahasivarathri Day
- According to Hindu mythology, Shivaratri symbolizes the wedding day of Lord Shiva.
- More details about Mahasivarathri Day
: Madin Full Moon Poya
- Marks Buddha's first visit to his hometown, Kapilavastu, following his enlightenment
- More details about Madin Full Moon Poya
: Id-Ul-Fitr
- The festival of Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Fast breaking, marks the end of Ramadan
- More details about Id-Ul-Fitr
: Bak Full Moon Poya
- Celebrates Buddha's second visit to Sri Lanka to make peace between two warring local chiefs, who were also uncle and nephew
- More details about Bak Full Moon Poya
: Good Friday
- Good Friday occurs on the Friday before Easter. The day commemorates the Crucifixion of Jesus.
- More details about Good Friday
: Sinhala and Tamil New Year Eve
- The day before Sinhala and Tamil New Year
- More details about Sinhala and Tamil New Year Eve
: Sinhala and Tamil New Year
- Puthandu also known as Tamil New Year, is the celebration of the first day of the Tamil new year
- More details about Sinhala and Tamil New Year
: Labour Day
- This holiday is most commonly associated as a commemoration of the achievements of the labour movement
- More details about Labour Day
: Vesak Full Moon Poya
- Marks three key events in Buddhas life - his birthday, the enlightenment and his achievement of Nirvana
- More details about Vesak Full Moon Poya
: Vesak Full Moon Poya Holiday
- Second day of holidays to mark Vesak Full Moon
- More details about Vesak Full Moon Poya Holiday
: Idul Adha
- Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice is the most important feast in the Muslim calendar. It celebrates the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ishmael in submission to Allah's command, before he was stopped by Allah.
- More details about Idul Adha
: Vesak Full Moon Poya
- Marks three key events in Buddhas life - his birthday, the enlightenment and his achievement of Nirvana
- More details about Vesak Full Moon Poya
: Poson Full Moon Poya
- Commemorates the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka by Mahinda
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: Esala Full Moon Poya
- Celebrates the Buddha's first sermon and the arrival of the Tooth Relic in Sri Lanka
- More details about Esala Full Moon Poya
: Milad-Un-Nabi
- Celebrated by Muslims on the twelfth day of the month of Rabiulawal, the third month of the Muslim calendar
- More details about Milad-Un-Nabi
: Nikini Full Moon Poya
- Marks the retreat of the Bhikkhus following the Buddha's death, commemorated by a period of fasting and of retreat for the monastic communities
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: Binara Full Moon Poya
- Commemorates the establishment of the Buddhist Bikkhuni Order
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: Vap Full Moon Poya
- Marks Buddha's preaching of Abhidamma to the gods in Tavatimsa and the end of the Buddhist period of fasting
- More details about Vap Full Moon Poya
: Deepavali Festival Day
- Celebrations revolve around the triumph of good over evil, purity over impurity, light over darkness
- More details about Deepavali Festival Day
: Ill Full Moon Poya
- Commemorates Buddha's ordination of sixty disciples as the first missionaries
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: Unduvap Full Moon Poya
- Celebrates the arrival of the Bo tree sapling in Anuradhapura, brought by Ashoka's daughter, Sangamitta
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: Christmas Day
- Christmas celebrates the Nativity of Jesus which according to tradition took place on December 25th 1 BC
- More details about Christmas Day