Holiday Guide for Sri Lanka in 2026

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.

List of National Holidays in Sri Lanka in 2026

	Saturday January 3rd 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
	Thursday January 15th Tamil Thai Pongal Day Sri Lanka: A popular harvest and thanksgiving festival marking the start of spring
	Sunday February 1st 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
	Wednesday February 4th 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.
	Sunday February 15th Mahasivarathri Day Sri Lanka: According to Hindu mythology, Shivaratri symbolizes the wedding day of Lord Shiva.
	Monday March 2nd  Long Weekend!  Madin Full Moon Poya Sri Lanka: Marks Buddha's first visit to his hometown, Kapilavastu, following his enlightenment
	Saturday March 21st Id-Ul-Fitr Sri Lanka: The festival of Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Fast breaking, marks the end of Ramadan
	Wednesday April 1st 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
	Friday April 3rd  Long Weekend!  Good Friday Sri Lanka: Good Friday occurs on the Friday before Easter. The day commemorates the Crucifixion of Jesus.
	Monday April 13th  Long Weekend!  Sinhala and Tamil New Year Eve Sri Lanka: The day before Sinhala and Tamil New Year
	Tuesday April 14th 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
	Friday May 1st  Long Weekend!  Labour Day Sri Lanka: This holiday is most commonly associated as a commemoration of the achievements of the labour movement
	Thursday May 28th 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.
	Saturday May 30th Vesak Full Moon Poya (in lieu) Sri Lanka: Marks three key events in Buddhas life - his birthday, the enlightenment and his achievement of Nirvana
	Sunday May 31st Vesak Full Moon Poya Holiday Sri Lanka: Second day of holidays to mark Vesak Full Moon
	Monday June 29th  Long Weekend!  Poson Full Moon Poya Sri Lanka: Commemorates the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka by Mahinda
	Wednesday July 29th Esala Full Moon Poya Sri Lanka: Celebrates the Buddha's first sermon and the arrival of the Tooth Relic in Sri Lanka
	Wednesday August 26th Milad-Un-Nabi Sri Lanka: Celebrated by Muslims on the twelfth day of the month of Rabiulawal, the third month of the Muslim calendar
	Thursday August 27th 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
	Saturday September 26th Binara Full Moon Poya Sri Lanka: Commemorates the establishment of the Buddhist Bikkhuni Order
	Sunday October 25th 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
	Sunday November 8th Deepavali Festival Day Sri Lanka: Celebrations revolve around the triumph of good over evil, purity over impurity, light over darkness
	Tuesday November 24th Ill Full Moon Poya Sri Lanka: Commemorates Buddha's ordination of sixty disciples as the first missionaries
	Wednesday December 23rd Unduvap Full Moon Poya Sri Lanka: Celebrates the arrival of the Bo tree sapling in Anuradhapura, brought by Ashoka's daughter, Sangamitta
	Friday December 25th  Long Weekend!  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.