Sri Lanka Public Holidays

Public holidays are listed here.

Public holiday note

(a) Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given below are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted; however, since Sri Lanka is not a predominantly Muslim country restrictions (which travellers may experience elsewhere) are unlikely to cause problems.

(b) Hindu and Buddhist festivals are declared according to local astronomical observations and it is not possible to forecast the date of their occurrence exactly.

2024

January
01
New Year's Day
Start date:
1 January 2024
January
15
Tamil Thai Pongal Day
Start date:
15 January 2024
January
25
Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day
Start date:
25 January 2024
February
04
National Day
Start date:
4 February 2024
February
24
Navam Full Moon Poya Day
Start date:
24 February 2024
March
08
Mahashivratri
Start date:
8 March 2024
March
24
Medin Full Moon Poya Day
Start date:
24 March 2024
March
29
Good Friday
Start date:
29 March 2024
April
10
Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
Start date:
10 April 2024
April
23
Bak Full Moon Poya Day
Start date:
23 April 2024
May
01
Labour Day
Start date:
1 May 2024
May
23
Vesak (Buddha's Birthday)
Start date:
23 May 2024
June
10
Poson Full Moon Poya Day
Start date:
10 June 2024
June
16
Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice)
Start date:
16 June 2024
July
20
Esala Full Moon Poya Day
Start date:
20 July 2024
August
19
Nikini Full Moon Poya Day
Start date:
19 August 2024
September
16
Milad un Nabi (Birth of the Prophet Muhammad)
Start date:
16 September 2024

Celebrated 5 days later for Shi'a.

September
18
Binara Full Moon Poya Day
Start date:
18 September 2024
October
17
Vap Full Moon Poya Day
Start date:
17 October 2024
November
01
Diwali (Festival of Lights)
Start date:
1 November 2024
November
15
Il Full Moon Poya Day
Start date:
15 November 2024
December
14
Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day
Start date:
14 December 2024
December
25
Christmas Day
Start date:
25 December 2024
Visa and passport information is updated regularly and is correct at the time of publishing. You should verify critical travel information independently with the relevant embassy before you travel.