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.
When are the next National holidays in Sri Lanka?
Upcoming Holidays
-
Ill Full Moon Poya
Nov 15, . Commemorates Buddha's ordination of sixty disciples as the first missionaries -
Unduvap Full Moon Poya
Dec 14, . Celebrates the arrival of the Bo tree sapling in Anuradhapura, brought by Ashoka's ... -
Christmas Day
Dec 25, . Christmas celebrates the Nativity of Jesus which according to tradition took place on ... -
Duruthu Full Moon Poya
Jan 13, . Marks the first of Buddha's three visits to Sri Lanka, on the first full moon after his ... -
Tamil Thai Pongal Day
Jan 14, . A popular harvest and thanksgiving festival marking the start of spring -
National Day
Feb 4, . On this day in 1948, the South Asian island country gained its political independence ...
List of Holidays in Sri Lanka in 2024
| Day | Date | Holiday Name | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Tamil Thai Pongal Day | National Holiday | |
| Thursday | Duruthu Full Moon Poya | National Holiday | |
| Sunday | National Day | National Holiday | |
| Friday | Navam Full Moon Poya | National Holiday | |
| Friday | Mahasivarathri Day | National Holiday | |
| Sunday | Madin Full Moon Poya | National Holiday | |
| Friday | Good Friday | National Holiday | |
| Thursday | Id-Ul-Fitr | National Holiday | |
| Friday | Sinhala and Tamil New Year Eve | National Holiday | |
| Saturday | Sinhala and Tamil New Year | National Holiday | |
| Monday | Sinhala and Tamil New Year (in lieu) | National Holiday | |
| Tuesday | Bak Full Moon Poya | National Holiday | |
| Wednesday | Labour Day | National Holiday | |
| Thursday | Vesak Full Moon Poya | National Holiday | |
| Friday | Vesak Full Moon Poya Holiday | National Holiday | |
| Monday | Idul Adha | National Holiday | |
| Friday | Poson Full Moon Poya | National Holiday | |
| Saturday | Esala Full Moon Poya | National Holiday | |
| Monday | Nikini Full Moon Poya | National Holiday | |
| Monday | Milad-Un-Nabi | National Holiday | |
| Tuesday | Binara Full Moon Poya | National Holiday | |
| Monday | Public Holiday | Government Holiday | |
| Thursday | Vap Full Moon Poya | National Holiday | |
| Thursday | Deepavali Festival Day | National Holiday | |
| Friday | Ill Full Moon Poya | National Holiday | |
| Saturday | Unduvap Full Moon Poya | National Holiday | |
| Wednesday | Christmas Day | National Holiday |
| Key |
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.
Office Holidays provides calendars with dates and information on public holidays and bank holidays in key countries around the world.
Newsletter
Sign up to receive a weekly email update on forthcoming public holidays around the world in your inbox every Friday.