The Excise Department of Sri Lanka has announced that the sale of alcohol will be prohibited islandwide on 19 designated days in 2026, including public holidays and Full Moon Poya days.
Issuing a statement, Deputy Commissioner and Excise Spokesperson A.A. Roshan Perera said the order has been issued on the directive of the Commissioner General of Excise.
The restricted days include 12 Full Moon Poya holidays, Independence Day, Sinhala and Tamil New Year holidays, World Temperance Day, and Christmas Day.
Alcohol Prohibition Days for 2026
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Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day – Saturday, January 3
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Navam Full Moon Poya Day – Sunday, February 1
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Independence Day – Wednesday, February 4
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Medin Full Moon Poya Day – Monday, March 2
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Bak Full Moon Poya Day – Wednesday, April 1
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Day before Sinhala and Tamil New Year – Monday, April 13
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Sinhala and Tamil New Year – Tuesday, April 14
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Vesak Full Moon Poya Day – Friday, May 1
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Day after Vesak Full Moon Poya Day – Saturday, May 2
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Adi Poson Full Moon Poya Day – Saturday, May 30
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Poson Full Moon Poya Day – Monday, June 29
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Asela Full Moon Poya Day – Wednesday, July 29
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Nikini Full Moon Poya Day – Thursday, August 27
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Binara Full Moon Poya Day – Saturday, September 26
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World Temperance Day – Saturday, October 3
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Vap Full Moon Poya Day – Sunday, October 25
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Il Full Moon Poya Day – Tuesday, November 24
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Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day – Wednesday, December 23
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Christmas Day – Friday, December 25
Limited Exemptions
The Excise Department said exemptions will apply on the two Sinhala and Tamil New Year holidays and Christmas Day. On these three occasions, the sale of alcohol to in-house guests will be permitted during prescribed hours at selected establishments, including:
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Hotels with FL 07 excise licences rated three stars and above and approved by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority
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Boutique hotels and boutique villas
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Hotels operating under special licences
The Department stressed that all licensed premises and the public must strictly comply with these regulations, warning that legal action will be taken against anyone found violating the restrictions.
