| Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-15 | Tamil Thai Pongal Day | National |
| 2026-02-04 | Independence Day | National |
| 2026-02-15 | Maha Sivarathri Day | National |
| 2026-03-21 | Eid al-Fitr | National |
| 2026-04-03 | Good Friday | National |
| 2026-04-13 | Day Before Sinhala and Tamil New Year | National |
| 2026-04-14 | Sinhala and Tamil New Year | National |
| 2026-05-28 | Eid al-Adha | National |
| 2026-08-26 | Prophet's Birthday | National |
| 2026-11-08 | Diwali | National |
| 2026-12-25 | Christmas Day | National |
How many public holidays does Sri Lanka have in 2026?
Sri Lanka has 11 public holidays in 2026: 11 national holidays. The dates run from 15 January 2026 to 25 December 2026, and no public holiday falls in June, July, September, October. Observances and regional holidays are listed separately and are not counted.
Wondering how that stacks up globally? See how Sri Lanka's public holiday count compares.
Long weekends in Sri Lanka 2026
Sri Lanka's public holidays create 3 long weekends in 2026 - runs of three or more consecutive days off, each built around a holiday that touches a weekend.
- Fri 3 - Sun 5 April: Good Friday (3-day weekend, Friday 3 April to Sunday 5 April).
- Sat 11 - Tue 14 April: Day Before Sinhala and Tamil New Year (4-day weekend, Saturday 11 April to Tuesday 14 April).
- Fri 25 - Sun 27 December: Christmas Day (3-day weekend, Friday 25 December to Sunday 27 December).
Observed and substitute holidays in Sri Lanka 2026
A substitute holiday is a day off moved to a nearby working weekday when a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday. The legal date never changes - only the day most people actually get off.
In 2026 no public holiday in Sri Lanka is moved to a nearby weekday, so every holiday in the table above is observed on the date shown.
Regional variations are common; see public holidays across Asia for the wider picture.
Public holidays in Sri Lanka: is your date a holiday in 2026?
Every date in the table above is a public holiday in Sri Lanka in 2026. If the date you are checking appears there, it is a day off; if it does not, it is not a public holiday - however widely it may be marked.
For example, 15 January 2026 is Tamil Thai Pongal Day, a public holiday in Sri Lanka.
More to explore: browse public holidays by country.
About these holidays in Sri Lanka (2026)
Our Sri Lanka public holidays guide explains the background of each holiday and how the dates are set.
Independence Day
Independence Day marks the anniversary of a nation's formal separation from another state, or of the founding moment of its sovereignty. Because it commemorates a specific historical event, the date differs from country to country and the name often includes the year. Typical observances include flag raising, military parades, speeches by heads of state, and public concerts. It is frequently the most prominent national holiday on the calendar.
Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr is the festival breaking the fast of Ramadan, observed on the first day of Shawwal. It is one of the two major Islamic festivals and a public holiday throughout the Muslim world. The celebration opens with a special congregational prayer, followed by visits to family and neighbours, shared meals and giving to charity. Where the date has been confirmed by moon sighting, it appears without the estimated qualifier on published calendars.
Good Friday
Good Friday is the Friday before Easter and commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus. It is a public holiday in most countries with Christian traditions, and businesses, banks and schools often close. Observance is typically solemn, with church services, processions and in some places Passion plays. The date moves each year because Easter is calculated from the first full moon following the March equinox.
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, begins on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah and coincides with the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. It honours the devotion of Ibrahim, who was willing to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. Families that can afford it sacrifice a sheep, goat, cow or camel and divide the meat into portions for family, friends and the poor.
Diwali
Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of the principal festivals of Hinduism, also observed by Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists. It falls on the new moon between mid October and mid November, in the month of Kartika according to the Hindu lunar calendar. It symbolises the victory of light over darkness and of good over evil. Observances include lighting oil lamps, fireworks, rangoli decorations, sharing sweets and exchanging gifts.