Holiday Guide for Sri Lanka in 2021

Sri Lanka 2021
Sri Lanka
2021

Sri Lanka information

Public Holidays on this island nation are dominated by the Poya. These holidays are observed on every full moon. Each Poya marks a significant event for Buddhists. While the dates generally match the date of the full moons, the Sri Lankan Government may shift the holidays by a day or so, so check back here for the latest dates.

Population: 21.92m
Capital: Colombo
Calling Code: (94)
Time Zone: +5.5 UTC
Currency: Sri Lankan rupee
Language: Sinhalese

List of National Holidays in Sri Lanka in 2021

Tamil Thai Pongal Day


Tamil Thai Pongal Day

Sri Lanka: A popular harvest and thanksgiving festival marking the start of spring

Duruthu Full Moon Poya


Duruthu Full Moon Poya

Sri Lanka: Marks the first of Buddha's three visits to Sri Lanka, on the first full moon after his enlightenment

National Day


National Day

Sri Lanka: On this day in 1948, the South Asian island country gained its political independence after more than five centuries of colonial rule.

Navam Full Moon Poya

 Long Weekend! 
Navam Full Moon Poya

Sri Lanka: Celebrates the appointment of Buddha's two chief disciples and the first-ever Buddhist Council held after the passing away of Lord Buddha

Mahasivarathri Day


Mahasivarathri Day

Sri Lanka: According to Hindu mythology, Shivaratri symbolizes the wedding day of Lord Shiva.

Madin Full Moon Poya


Madin Full Moon Poya

Sri Lanka: Marks Buddha's first visit to his hometown, Kapilavastu, following his enlightenment

Good Friday

 Long Weekend! 
Good Friday

Sri Lanka: Good Friday occurs on the Friday before Easter. The day commemorates the Crucifixion of Jesus.

Sinhala and Tamil New Year Eve


Sinhala and Tamil New Year Eve

Sri Lanka: April 13th is the day before Sinhala and Tamil New Year

Sinhala and Tamil New Year


Sinhala and Tamil New Year

Sri Lanka: Puthandu also known as Tamil New Year, is the celebration of the first day of the Tamil new year

Bak Full Moon Poya

 Long Weekend! 
Bak Full Moon Poya

Sri Lanka: Celebrates Buddha's second visit to Sri Lanka to make peace between two warring local chiefs, who were also uncle and nephew

Labour Day


Labour Day

Sri Lanka: This holiday is most commonly associated as a commemoration of the achievements of the labour movement

Id-Ul-Fitr

 Long Weekend! 
Id-Ul-Fitr

Sri Lanka: The festival of Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Fast breaking, marks the end of Ramadan

Vesak Full Moon Poya


Vesak Full Moon Poya

Sri Lanka: Marks three key events in Buddhas life - his birthday, the enlightenment and his achievement of Nirvana

Vesak Full Moon Poya Holiday


Vesak Full Moon Poya Holiday

Sri Lanka: Second day of holidays to mark Vesak Full Moon

Poson Full Moon Poya


Poson Full Moon Poya

Sri Lanka: Commemorates the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka by Mahinda

Idul Adha


Idul Adha

Sri Lanka: 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.

Esala Full Moon Poya

 Long Weekend! 
Esala Full Moon Poya

Sri Lanka: Celebrates the Buddha's first sermon and the arrival of the Tooth Relic in Sri Lanka

Nikini Full Moon Poya


Nikini Full Moon Poya

Sri Lanka: Marks the retreat of the Bhikkhus following the Buddha's death, commemorated by a period of fasting and of retreat for the monastic communities

Binara Full Moon Poya

 Long Weekend! 
Binara Full Moon Poya

Sri Lanka: Commemorates the establishment of the Buddhist Bikkhuni Order

Milad-Un-Nabi


Milad-Un-Nabi

Sri Lanka: Celebrated by Muslims on the twelfth day of the month of Rabiulawal, the third month of the Muslim calendar

Vap Full Moon Poya


Vap Full Moon Poya

Sri Lanka: Marks Buddha's preaching of Abhidamma to the gods in Tavatimsa and the end of the Buddhist period of fasting

Deepavali Festival Day


Deepavali Festival Day

Sri Lanka: Celebrations revolve around the triumph of good over evil, purity over impurity, light over darkness

Ill Full Moon Poya


Ill Full Moon Poya

Sri Lanka: Commemorates Buddha's ordination of sixty disciples as the first missionaries

Unduvap Full Moon Poya


Unduvap Full Moon Poya

Sri Lanka: Celebrates the arrival of the Bo tree sapling in Anuradhapura, brought by Ashoka's daughter, Sangamitta

Christmas Day


Christmas Day

Sri Lanka: Christmas celebrates the Nativity of Jesus which according to tradition took place on December 25th 1 BC

Notes

  • Each Full Moon is a public holiday. If the full moon falls on a weekend, the holiday is not moved
  • All Public Holidays, Saturdays and Sundays are Bank Holidays.