With just three days remaining until 2026, the Government Printing Department has released the official calendar for the upcoming year, which includes 26 public holidays.
April and May stand out as the months with the highest number of holidays, offering a total of eight days off.
Highlights of the 2026 Holiday Calendar
-
April Festivities: Sinhala and Tamil New Year falls on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
-
Vesak and Labour Day: Vesak Full Moon Poya Day coincides with International Labour Day on Friday, May 1, 2026.
-
Christmas on a Weekday: Christmas Day, December 25, 2026, falls on a Friday, allowing for an extended holiday weekend.
Full List of Public Holidays for 2026
-
Saturday, January 03 – Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day
-
Thursday, January 15 – Tamil Thai Pongal Day
-
Sunday, February 01 – Navam Full Moon Poya Day
-
Wednesday, February 04 – Independence Day
-
Sunday, February 15 – Maha Shivaratri Day
-
Monday, March 02 – Medin Full Moon Poya Day
-
Saturday, March 21 – Eid-ul-Fitr (Ramadan Festival Day)
-
Wednesday, April 01 – Bak Full Moon Poya Day
-
Friday, April 03 – Good Friday
-
Monday, April 13 – Day before Sinhala and Tamil New Year
-
Tuesday, April 14 – Sinhala and Tamil New Year Day
-
Friday, May 01 – Vesak Full Moon Poya Day
-
Friday, May 01 – International Labour Day
-
Saturday, May 02 – Day after Vesak Full Moon Poya Day
-
Thursday, May 28 – Eid al-Adha (Hajj Festival Day)
-
Saturday, May 30 – Adhi Poson Full Moon Poya Day
-
Monday, June 29 – Poson Full Moon Poya Day
-
Wednesday, July 29 – Esala Full Moon Poya Day
-
Wednesday, August 26 – Milad-un-Nabi (Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday)
-
Thursday, August 27 – Nikini Full Moon Poya Day
-
Saturday, September 26 – Binara Full Moon Poya Day
-
Sunday, October 25 – Vap Full Moon Poya Day
-
Sunday, November 08 – Deepavali Festival Day
-
Tuesday, November 24 – Ill Full Moon Poya Day
-
Wednesday, December 23 – Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day
-
Friday, December 25 – Christmas Day
These public holidays will be observed across all sectors, including the Departments of Posts, Customs, and Meteorology. The Government Printing Department noted that any changes to public holidays will be officially communicated through gazette notifications.
Full Moon Poya holidays were approved by the Poya Committee, and all listed dates are applicable to all employees.
