There are 25 public holidays in Sri Lanka in 2023, ten of which fall on weekends.
Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day
Duruthu is the first month of the Sinhala calendar. The important significance of Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day, observed on January 6, 2023, marks Gautama Buddha's first visit to Sri Lanka.
Tamil Thai Pongal Day
Thai Pongal, observed on January 15, 2023, is a Hindu harvest festival celebrated by Tamils in Sri Lanka. It is a harvesting festival to thank the Sun God and Lord Indra for helping farmers.
Independence Day
National Day, also known as Independence Day, is a Sri Lankan national holiday celebrated annually on February 4, 2023, to commemorate the country's political independence from British rule in 1948.
Navam Full Moon Poya Day
Navam Full Moon Poya is a public holiday in Sri Lanka observed on February 5, 2023. It is usually celebrated on the first full moon in February.
Mahasivarathri Day
Maha Shivratri, observed on February 18, 2023, celebrates annually in honor of Lord Shiva. Shiva is the third god in the Hindu triumvirate, which consists of 3 gods: Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer.
Medin Full Moon Poya Day
The Medin Full Moon Poya day, observed on March 7, 2023, marks the occasion of the Buddha's first visiting his birthplace, Kapilavastupura, the Kingdom of His father, King Suddhodhana.
Bak Full Moon Poya Day
Bak Full Moon Poya Day, observed on April 5, 2023, marks Lord Buddha's visit to Nagadipa, the second visit of The Buddha to Sri Lanka. It took place in the fifth year after Enlightenment.
Good Friday
Good Friday is a Christian holiday celebrating the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. It is observed on Friday immediately preceding Easter Sunday, April 7, 2023.
Sinhala and Tamil New Year
The Sinhala and Tamil New Year, observed on April 14, 2023, marks the beginning of the traditional calendar according to astrology. It is one of the most significant holidays in the Sri Lankan calendar.
Eid al-Fitr
This is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide celebrating the end of a month of fasting. The holiday falls on the first day of Syawal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar, on April 22, 2023.
Labour Day
Labour Day is observed on May 1, 2023, and it celebrates the achievements of workers. The holiday originates in the eight-hour day movement, which is eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.
Vesak Full Moon Poya Day
The Vesak Full Moon Poya Day, observed on May 5, 2023, is the most important Poya for Buddhists worldwide. It commemorates the most eclectic event in history, the day that Buddha was born, the day he was enlightened, and the day he passed away.
Poson Full Moon Poya Day
Poson Full Moon Poya Day, observed on June 3, 2023, is celebrated the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC,
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha, also known as the festival of sacrifice, is an important Muslim festival. The holiday falls on June 29, 2023, and it honors the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God's command.
Esala Full Moon Poya Day
Esala Full Moon Poya, July 3, 2023, is observed yearly on the full moon in the eighth lunar month. This year, observed on July 3, 2023, commemorates the Buddha's first sermon and the arrival of the Tooth Relic in Sri Lanka.
Nikini Full Moon Poya Day
The holiday takes place on the full moon day of Nikini, the ninth month in the Sinhalese calendar. It is observed on August 1, 2023, and marks the anniversary of the first Buddhist council (Sangayana) held after the Supreme Buddha's passing away.
Binara Full Moon Poya Day
The holiday takes place on the full moon day of Binara, the sixth month in the Sinhalese calendar, and usually falls in September. Observed on September 28, 2023, the holiday commemorates the establishment of the Bhikkhuni Sangha or Order of the Female Buddhist Monastic.
Prophet's Birthday
The holiday, observed on September 28, 2023, commemorates the birthday of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, an Arab religious and political leader and the founder of Islam. Muhammad was born around 570 AD in Mecca and was a deeply spiritual man spending time in meditation.
Vap Full Moon Poya Day
Vap is the seventh month in the Sinhalese calendar. Observed on October 28, 2023, the holiday usually falls in October in the Western calendar, and it marks the end of the Buddhist period of fasting.
Deepavali
Diwali or Diwali, observed on November 12, 2023, is the festival of lights in India and usually lasts five days. People light rows of lamps inside and outside their homes for the holiday, representing the triumph of light over dark and the power of good over evil.
Ill Full Moon Poya Day
Ill Full Moon Poya, a public holiday in Sri Lanka, observed on November 26, 2023, usually falls in November in the Western calendar. The holiday marks the end of the rainy season and the conclusion of the three-month retreat.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25, 2023, and commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Christmas Day is a holiday of sharing. People exchange Christmas gifts and cards with families and friends.
Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day
This holiday takes place on the full moon day of Unduvap, the ninth month in the Sinhalese calendar, on December 26, 2023. The holiday commemorates the arrival of Sangamitta Theri in Sri Lanka with a Bo sapling from the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in India.
The following is the list of public holidays in Sri Lanka 2023.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day | Jan 06, 2023 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Tamil Thai Pongal Day | Jan 15, 2023 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| Independence Day | Feb 04, 2023 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
| Navam Full Moon Poya Day | Feb 05, 2023 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| Mahasivarathri Day | Feb 18, 2023 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
| Medin Full Moon Poya Day | Mar 07, 2023 | Tuesday | Public Holiday |
| Bak Full Moon Poya Day | Apr 05, 2023 | Wednesday | Public Holiday |
| Good Friday | Apr 07, 2023 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Sinhala and Tamil New Year's Eve | Apr 13, 2023 | Thursday | Public Holiday |
| Sinhala and Tamil New Year | Apr 14, 2023 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Eid al-Fitr | Apr 22, 2023 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
| Labour Day | May 01, 2023 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Vesak Full Moon Poya Day | May 05, 2023 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Vesak Full Moon Poya Day Holiday | May 06, 2023 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
| Poson Full Moon Poya Day | Jun 03, 2023 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
| Eid al-Adha | Jun 29, 2023 | Thursday | Public Holiday |
| Esala Full Moon Poya Day | Jul 03, 2023 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Nikini Full Moon Poya Day | Aug 01, 2023 | Tuesday | Public Holiday |
| Binara Full Moon Poya Day | Sep 28, 2023 | Thursday | Public Holiday |
| Prophet's Birthday | Sep 28, 2023 | Thursday | Public Holiday |
| Vap Full Moon Poya Day | Oct 28, 2023 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
| Deepavali Festival Day | Nov 12, 2023 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| Ill Full Moon Poya Day | Nov 26, 2023 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25, 2023 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day | Dec 26, 2023 | Tuesday | Public Holiday |
* Please also check the working days in Sri Lanka in 2023.