There are 25 public holidays in Sri Lanka in 2024, six of which fall on weekends.
Tamil Thai Pongal Day
Thai Pongal, observed on January 15, 2024, 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.
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 25, 2024, marks Gautama Buddha's first visit to Sri Lanka.
Independence Day
National Day, also known as Independence Day, is a Sri Lankan national holiday celebrated annually on February 4, 2024, 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 24, 2024. It is usually celebrated on the first full moon in February.
Mahasivarathri Day
Maha Shivratri, observed on March 8, 2024, 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 24, 2024, marks the occasion of the Buddha's first visiting his birthplace, Kapilavastupura, the Kingdom of His father, King Suddhodhana.
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, March 29, 2024.
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 10, 2024.
Sinhala and Tamil New Year
The Sinhala and Tamil New Year, observed on April 13, 2024, marks the beginning of the traditional calendar according to astrology. It is one of the most significant holidays in the Sri Lankan calendar.
Bak Full Moon Poya Day
Bak Full Moon Poya Day, observed on April 23, 2024, 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.
Labour Day
Labour Day is observed on May 1, 2024, 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 23, 2024, 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.
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha, also known as the festival of sacrifice, is an important Muslim festival. The holiday falls on June 17, 2024, and it honors the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God's command.
Poson Full Moon Poya Day
Poson Full Moon Poya Day, observed on June 21, 2024, is celebrated the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC,
Esala Full Moon Poya Day
Esala Full Moon Poya is observed yearly on the full moon in the eighth lunar month. This year, observed on July 20, 2024, 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 19, 2024, and marks the anniversary of the first Buddhist council (Sangayana) held after the Supreme Buddha's passing away.
Prophet's Birthday
The holiday, observed on September 16, 2024, 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.
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 17, 2024, the holiday commemorates the establishment of the Bhikkhuni Sangha or Order of the Female Buddhist Monastic.
Vap Full Moon Poya Day
Vap is the seventh month in the Sinhalese calendar. Observed on October 16, 2024, 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 1, 2024, 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 15, 2024, 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.
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 14, 2024. The holiday commemorates the arrival of Sangamitta Theri in Sri Lanka with a Bo sapling from the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in India.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25, 2024, 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.
The following is the list of public holidays in Sri Lanka 2024.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tamil Thai Pongal Day | Jan 15, 2024 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day | Jan 25, 2024 | Thursday | Public Holiday |
| Independence Day | Feb 04, 2024 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| Navam Full Moon Poya Day | Feb 24, 2024 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
| Mahasivarathri Day | Mar 08, 2024 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Medin Full Moon Poya Day | Mar 24, 2024 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| Good Friday | Mar 29, 2024 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Eid al-Fitr | Apr 10, 2024 | Wednesday | Public Holiday |
| Sinhala and Tamil New Year's Eve | Apr 12, 2024 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Sinhala and Tamil New Year | Apr 13, 2024 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
| Bak Full Moon Poya Day | Apr 23, 2024 | Tuesday | Public Holiday |
| Labour Day | May 01, 2024 | Wednesday | Public Holiday |
| Vesak Full Moon Poya Day | May 23, 2024 | Thursday | Public Holiday |
| Vesak Full Moon Poya Day Holiday | May 24, 2024 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Eid al-Adha | Jun 17, 2024 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Poson Full Moon Poya Day | Jun 21, 2024 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Esala Full Moon Poya Day | Jul 20, 2024 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
| Nikini Full Moon Poya Day | Aug 19, 2024 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Prophet's Birthday | Sep 16, 2024 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Binara Full Moon Poya Day | Sep 17, 2024 | Tuesday | Public Holiday |
| Vap Full Moon Poya Day | Oct 16, 2024 | Wednesday | Public Holiday |
| Deepavali Festival Day | Nov 01, 2024 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Ill Full Moon Poya Day | Nov 15, 2024 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day | Dec 14, 2024 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25, 2024 | Wednesday | Public Holiday |
* Please also check the working days in Sri Lanka in 2024.