| Day | Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | Jan 06,2023 | Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day | Public Holiday |
| Sunday | Jan 15,2023 | Tamil Thai Pongal Day | Public Holiday |
| Monday | Jan 16,2023 | Special Bank Holiday | Public Holiday |
| Saturday | Feb 04,2023 | National Day | Public Holiday |
| Sunday | Feb 05,2023 | Navam Full Moon Poya Day | Public Holiday |
| Tuesday | Feb 14,2023 | Valentine's Day | Observance |
| Saturday | Feb 18,2023 | Mahasivarathri Day | Public Holiday |
| Monday | Mar 06,2023 | Madin Full Moon Poya Day | Public Holiday |
| Wednesday | Mar 08,2023 | Holi | Hindu Holiday |
| Friday | Mar 24,2023 | Ramadan Start | Observance |
| Wednesday | Apr 05,2023 | Bak Full Moon Poya Day | Public Holiday |
| Friday | Apr 07,2023 | Good Friday | Public Holiday |
| Sunday | Apr 09,2023 | Easter Sunday | Observance |
| Thursday | Apr 13,2023 | Sinhala and Tamil New Year's Eve | Public Holiday |
| Friday | Apr 14,2023 | Sinhala and Tamil New Year's Day | Public Holiday |
| Saturday | Apr 22,2023 | Eid al-Fitr | Public Holiday |
| Monday | May 01,2023 | May Day | Public Holiday |
| Friday | May 05,2023 | Vesak Full Moon Poya Day | Public Holiday |
| Saturday | May 06,2023 | Day after Vesak Full Moon Poya Day | Public Holiday |
| Sunday | May 14,2023 | Mother's Day | Observance |
| Saturday | Jun 03,2023 | Poson Full Moon Poya Day | Public Holiday |
| Sunday | Jun 18,2023 | Father's Day | Observance |
| Thursday | Jun 29,2023 | Eid al-Adha | Public Holiday |
| Monday | Jul 03,2023 | Adhi Esala Full Moon Poya Day | Public Holiday |
| Tuesday | Aug 01,2023 | Esala Full Moon Poya Day | Public Holiday |
| Wednesday | Aug 30,2023 | Raksha Bandhan | Hindu Holiday |
| Wednesday | Aug 30,2023 | Nikini Full Moon Poya Day | Public Holiday |
| Tuesday | Sep 19,2023 | Ganesh Chaturthi | Hindu Holiday |
| Thursday | Sep 28,2023 | Milad-Un-Nabi (Holy Prophet's Birthday) (Tentative Date) | Public Holiday |
| Friday | Sep 29,2023 | Binara Full Moon Poya Day | Public Holiday |
| Tuesday | Oct 24,2023 | Dussehra | Hindu Holiday |
| Saturday | Oct 28,2023 | Vap Full Moon Poya Day | Public Holiday |
| Sunday | Nov 12,2023 | Deepavali | Public Holiday |
| Sunday | Nov 26,2023 | Ill Full Moon Poya Day | Public Holiday |
| Sunday | Dec 24,2023 | Christmas Eve | Observance |
| Monday | Dec 25,2023 | Christmas Day | Public Holiday |
| Tuesday | Dec 26,2023 | Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day | Public Holiday |
Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day is celebrated to commemorate the first visit of Lord Buddha to Sri Lanka. It falls on the full moon day in January. Buddhists visit temples, offer prayers, and engage in acts of kindness. It holds great cultural significance as it marks the beginning of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
Tamil Thai Pongal Day is a harvest festival celebrated by the Tamil community. It signifies the gratitude towards the sun god for a bountiful harvest. People cook a special dish called 'Pongal' and decorate their homes with kolams. This day fosters unity and cultural pride among the Tamil population in Sri Lanka.
A special bank holiday is a day designated for various important events, often related to religious or national significance. It provides an opportunity for people to relax and engage in festivities. The specific reason for this holiday may vary each year.
National Day in Sri Lanka is celebrated on February 4th to commemorate the country gaining full independence from British colonial rule in 1948. It is a day of national pride, marked by flag hoisting ceremonies, parades, and cultural events, showcasing Sri Lanka's rich heritage and unity.
Navam Full Moon Poya Day is a Buddhist holiday celebrated in February. It marks the gathering of the first monks and the delivery of key teachings by Lord Buddha. Devotees visit temples, participate in religious activities, and engage in merit-making to seek spiritual growth and enlightenment.
Valentine's Day is a globally celebrated day of love and affection, observed on February 14th. Sri Lankans also embrace this romantic holiday, exchanging gifts, flowers, and affectionate gestures with their loved ones. While not traditional, it reflects modern cultural influences.
Mahasivarathri Day is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is observed by Hindus in Sri Lanka. Devotees fast, visit temples, and engage in prayer and meditation throughout the night. This holiday showcases the deep cultural and religious ties of the Tamil Hindu community in the country.
Medin Full Moon Poya Day falls in March and marks a significant event in Buddhist history when Buddha ended his retreat in heaven. Buddhists visit temples, offer alms to monks, and engage in acts of charity. This day promotes compassion and generosity, central values in Sri Lankan culture.
Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors, is a Hindu festival celebrated with great enthusiasm. People play with colored powders, dance, and enjoy festive treats. In Sri Lanka, it's primarily observed by the Tamil Hindu community, showcasing the vibrant and joyous aspects of their culture.
Ramadan is the holy month of fasting and prayer for Muslims. It begins with the sighting of the moon. During this month, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, engage in intense prayer, and reflect on their faith. It is a deeply spiritual and cultural observance for the Muslim community in Sri Lanka.
Bak Full Moon Poya Day in April is a time for Buddhists to reflect on the teachings of Buddha and engage in religious activities. They visit temples, offer flowers, and light lamps, emphasizing the cultural importance of spirituality and moral values in Sri Lankan society.
Good Friday is observed by Christians in Sri Lanka and worldwide, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It's a day of reflection and worship, with church services and processions depicting the Stations of the Cross. It highlights the Christian cultural heritage of the country.
Easter Sunday is a significant Christian holiday, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Sri Lankan Christians attend church services, participate in Easter egg hunts, and share festive meals with family and friends. It underscores the importance of faith and unity in the Christian community.
Sinhala and Tamil New Year's Eve is celebrated on the last day of the old year. Families clean and decorate their homes, light oil lamps, and prepare for the upcoming New Year festivities. It showcases the rich cultural traditions and togetherness of the Sinhala and Tamil communities.
Sinhala and Tamil New Year's Day, usually falling on April 13th or 14th, marks the beginning of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. It involves various customs like lighting the hearth, preparing special meals, and visiting relatives, reflecting the cultural heritage and family values of Sri Lankans.
Eid al-Fitr is a major Islamic festival celebrated at the end of Ramadan. Muslims gather for communal prayers, exchange gifts, and share meals with loved ones. It emphasizes the significance of community, charity, and spirituality within the Muslim culture of Sri Lanka.
May Day, observed on May 1st, is a global workers' holiday. In Sri Lanka, it's a day of workers' rights demonstrations and celebrations. Labor unions organize parades and events, highlighting the cultural importance of workers' contributions to the nation's progress.
Vesak Full Moon Poya Day is one of the most sacred Buddhist holidays, celebrating the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of Lord Buddha. Sri Lankans illuminate their homes, temples, and streets with lanterns and engage in acts of kindness, showcasing the deep cultural significance of Buddhism.
The day following Vesak Full Moon Poya Day is a continuation of the celebrations, emphasizing the importance of reflection, generosity, and unity within the Buddhist community. It reinforces the cultural values of compassion and mindfulness in Sri Lankan society.
Mother's Day, celebrated on the second Sunday of May, is a day to honor and show appreciation to mothers and maternal figures. Families express love and gratitude through gifts and gestures, underscoring the cultural importance of family bonds and maternal love in Sri Lanka.
Poson Full Moon Poya Day is significant for Sri Lankan Buddhists, commemorating the introduction of Buddhism to the island by Arahat Mahinda, the son of Emperor Ashoka. Devotees engage in religious activities, visit sacred sites, and uphold the cultural legacy of Buddhism in the country.
Father's Day, celebrated on the third Sunday of June, is a day to honor and appreciate fathers and paternal figures. Families express love and gratitude through gifts and gestures, highlighting the cultural importance of family bonds and paternal love in Sri Lanka.
Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, is a significant Islamic holiday. Muslims commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. It involves prayers, the sacrifice of animals, and sharing meat with family and the less fortunate.
Adhi Esala Full Moon Poya Day is celebrated in July and marks the beginning of the Esala Perahera, a grand Buddhist festival in Kandy. Devotees visit temples, make offerings, and engage in cultural performances, showcasing the vibrant and traditional aspects of Sri Lankan Buddhism.
Esala Full Moon Poya Day falls in August and is a continuation of the Esala Perahera festival in Kandy. It celebrates the tooth relic of Lord Buddha and involves elaborate processions, dance, and music, highlighting the rich cultural heritage of Sri Lankan Buddhism.
Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters tie a protective thread (rakhi) on their brothers' wrists, and brothers offer gifts in return. It showcases the cultural significance of sibling relationships and family ties in Sri Lanka's Hindu community.
Nikini Full Moon Poya Day, falling in August or September, is a day for Buddhists to reflect on their spiritual path. Devotees visit temples, participate in religious activities, and observe precepts, emphasizing the cultural importance of mindfulness and ethical conduct in Sri Lankan society.
Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and prosperity. Devotees create elaborate clay idols, perform prayers, and immerse the idols in water. It showcases the vibrant cultural traditions of Sri Lanka's Hindu community.
Milad-Un-Nabi, also known as Mawlid al-Nabi, commemorates the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. It involves prayers, readings from the Quran, and communal meals. It underscores the cultural and religious significance of the Islamic faith in Sri Lanka.
Binara Full Moon Poya Day, celebrated in September or October, is a time for Buddhists to deepen their spiritual practice. Devotees visit temples, offer flowers, and engage in acts of charity, highlighting the cultural importance of compassion and ethical conduct in Sri Lankan society.
Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is a Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. It includes the worship of goddess Durga and the burning of effigies of the demon king Ravana. It showcases the cultural heritage of the Hindu community in Sri Lanka.
Vap Full Moon Poya Day, celebrated in October or November, is a day for Buddhists to reflect on the path to enlightenment. Devotees visit temples, engage in meditation, and offer alms, emphasizing the cultural importance of mindfulness and spiritual growth in Sri Lankan society.
Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is a Hindu festival of lights celebrated with the lighting of lamps, fireworks, and the exchange of sweets and gifts. It symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, showcasing the vibrant cultural traditions of Sri Lanka's Hindu community.
Ill Full Moon Poya Day, celebrated in November or December, is a day for Buddhists to renew their commitment to spiritual practice. Devotees visit temples, observe precepts, and engage in meditation, emphasizing the cultural importance of ethics and inner peace in Sri Lankan society.
Christmas Eve is the night before Christmas Day, celebrated by Christians in Sri Lanka and worldwide. It involves church services, festive decorations, and the anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ. It highlights the cultural and religious significance of Christianity in the country.
Christmas Day, celebrated on December 25th, commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. Sri Lankan Christians attend church services, exchange gifts, and enjoy special meals with family and friends. It underscores the cultural importance of faith, love, and togetherness in Sri Lanka.
Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day, falling in December, is a day for Buddhists to reflect on the teachings of Lord Buddha. Devotees visit temples, offer alms, and engage in acts of kindness, emphasizing the cultural importance of compassion and spiritual growth in Sri Lankan society.
