Employers with teams in Sri Lanka should begin planning ahead for the country’s upcoming holidays in the second half of 2026, which includes a mix of national, religious, and Full Moon Poya holidays observed throughout the year.
Sri Lanka has a unique holiday structure that combines:
Poya holidays (monthly Buddhist full moon observances)
Mercantile holidays applicable to private sector employees
National and religious holidays observed across different communities
Because several holidays fall on weekdays — and some months include multiple holidays close together — employers may experience impacts on scheduling, staffing coverage, payroll timelines, and overtime planning.
Holiday Pay Considerations
Under Sri Lankan regulations:
Employees working on a Poya holiday are generally entitled to 1.5x their daily wage
Employees working on a Mercantile holiday are generally entitled to 2x their daily wage
These payments are also considered for EPF contribution purposes.
To help minimize operational disruptions and unexpected payroll costs, employers should review workforce schedules in advance and plan staffing coverage around upcoming holiday periods.
Poya Holidays
January 3, 2026 — Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day
February 1, 2026 — Navam Full Moon Poya Day
March 2, 2026 — Madin Full Moon Poya Day
April 1, 2026 — Bak Full Moon Poya Day
May 1, 2026 — Vesak Full Moon Poya Day
May 30, 2026 — Adhi Poson Full Moon Poya Day
June 29, 2026 — Poson Full Moon Poya Day
July 29, 2026 — Esala Full Moon Poya Day
August 27, 2026 — Nikini Full Moon Poya Day
September 26, 2026 — Binara Full Moon Poya Day
October 25, 2026 — Vap Full Moon Poya Day
November 24, 2026 — Ill Full Moon Poya Day
December 23, 2026 — Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day
Mercantile Holidays
January 1, 2026 — New Year’s Day
February 4, 2026 — Independence Day
April 13, 2026 — Day Prior to Sinhala and Tamil New Year
April 14, 2026 — Sinhala and Tamil New Year
May 1, 2026 — International Workers’ Day
May 2, 2026 — Day Following Vesak Full Moon Poya Day
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday / Milad-un-Nabi — Date may vary according to the lunar calendar
December 25, 2026 — Christmas Day
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