Official Holidays in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka observes a mix of national, religious, and cultural holidays, including Independence Day, Sinhala and Tamil New Year, and Christmas.

Many businesses and most government offices close on these days, and celebrations vary depending on the occasion.

Poya Days
Poya Days are Buddhist holidays that occur every full moon.

These days are significant in Buddhism, marking key events in the life of the Buddha.

Since more than 70% of Sri Lankans are Buddhist, Poya Days are widely observed, with many people visiting temples and engaging in religious activities.

On Poya Days, Sri Lanka enforces a ban on alcohol sales, meaning bars, liquor stores, and supermarkets cannot sell alcoholic beverages until the Poya Day ends. This aligns with Buddhist traditions, promoting a day of reflection and spiritual observance.

Additional Holidays
Sri Lanka occasionally announces extra holidays due to special events, elections, or national emergencies. These can be declared at short notice, involving businesses and public services.

GAZETTE Official 2025 holidays

• 13 Jan 2025 Mon Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day
• 14 Jan 2025 Tue Tamil Thai Pongal Day
• 4 Feb 2025 Tue National Day
• 12 Feb 2025 Wed Navam Full Moon Poya Day
• 26 Feb 2025 Wed Mahasivarathri Day
• 13 Mar 2025 Thu Madin Full Moon Poya Day
• 31 Mar 2025 Mon Id Ul-Fitr
• 12 Apr 2025 Sat Bak Full Moon Poya Day
• 13 Apr 2025 Sun Day prior to Sinhala & Tamil New Year Day
• 14 Apr 2025 Mon Sinhala & Tamil New Year Day
• 18 Apr 2025 Fri Good Friday
• 1 May 2025 Thu May Day
• 12 May 2025 Mon Vesak Full Moon Poya Day
• 13 May 2025 Tue Day following Vesak Full Moon Poya Day
• 7 Jun 2025 Sat Id Ul-Alha
• 10 Jun 2025 Tue Poson Full Moon Poya Day
• 10 Jul 2025 Thu Esala Full Moon Poya Day
• 8 Aug 2025 Fri Nikini Full Moon Poya Day
• 5 Sep 2025 Fri Milad un-Nabi
• 7 Sep 2025 Sun Binara Full Moon Poya Day
• 6 Oct 2025 Mon Vap Full Moon Poya Day
• 20 Oct 2025 Mon Deepavali
• 5 Nov 2025 Wed Ill Full Moon Poya Day
• 4 Dec 2025 Thu Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day
• 25 Dec 2025 Thu Christmas Day

GAZETTE Official 2026 holidays

03 Saturday January 2026 Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day

15 Thursday January 2026 Tamil Thai Pongal Day

01 Sunday February 2026 Navam Full Moon Poya Day

04 Wednesday February 2026 Independence Day

15 Sunday February 2026 Maha Sivarathri Day

02 Monday March 2026 Medin Full Moon Poya Day

21 Saturday March 2026 Id-Ul-Fitre (Ramazan Festival Day

01 Wednesday April 2026 Bak Full Moon Poya Day

03 Friday April 2026 Good Friday

13 Monday April 2026 Day Prior to Sinhala & Tamil New Year Day

14 Tuesday April 2026 Sinhala & Tamil New Year Day

01 Friday May 2026 Vesak Full Moon Poya Day

01 Friday May 2026 May Day (International Workers’ Day)

02 Saturday May 2026 Day Following Vesak Full Moon Poya Day

28 Thursday May 2026 Id-Ul-Allah (Hadji Festival Day)

30 Saturday May 2026 Adhi Poson Full Moon Poya Day

29 Monday June 2026 Poson Full Moon Poya Day

29 Wednesday July 2026 Esala Full Moon Poya Day

26 Wednesday August 2026 Milad-Un-Nabi (Holy Prophet’s Birthday)

27 Thursday August 2026 Nikini Full Moon Poya Day

26 Saturday September 2026 Binara Full Moon Poya Day

25 Sunday October 2026 Vap Full Moon Poya Day

08 Sunday November 2026 Deepawali Festival Day

24 Tuesday November 2026 Il Full Moon Poya Day

23 Wednesday December 2026 Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day

25 Friday December 2026 Christmas Day