Holidays in Sri Lanka in 2024
Holidays and Public Holidays in Sri Lanka during 2024.
Holidays and public holidays in Sri Lanka in 2024.
There are lots of long weekends in Sri Lanka in 2024 and the tourist sites will be busy.
Most Sri Lankans work on Saturdays, but you will see from the calendar below that there are several holidays on a Saturday. This will mean that tourists will be competing with local Sri Lankans for hotels, restaurants and sightseeing on a lot more weekends this year.
So, we would recommend that you book early.
Here is a list of Public and National Holidays in Sri Lanka during 2024 so you can plan your holiday.
Public Holidays in Sri Lanka - What is a Full Moon Poya Day?
A Poya Day is a civil and bank holiday.
The full moon day is normally considered as the Poya day in every month.
Poya is the name given to the Lunar monthly Buddhist holiday of Uposatha in Sri Lanka.
Usopatha is a Buddhist Day of observance.
The Buddha taught that the Uposatha day is for “cleansing of the defiled mind”.
On each Poya day, both lay and ordained members of the sangha (community) intensify their practice, deepen their knowledge and express communal commitment through acts of lay-monastic reciprocity.
It is a day for practicing the Budda’s teachings and meditation.
Lay followers make a conscious effort to keep the Five Precepts or traditionally Eight Precepts.
For further information regarding the Precepts https://thebuddhistcentre.com/buddhism has some further reading.
Public Holidays in Sri Lanka - The Poya Days in 2024
Date
Day
Holiday
15th January
Monday
Tamil Thai Pongal
25th January
Thursday
Durutha Full Moon Poya Day
4th February
Sunday
National Day
24th February
Saturday
Navam Full Moon Poya Day
24th March
Sunday
Madin Full Moon Poya Day
29th March
Friday
Good Friday
10th April
Wednesday
Id Ul-Fitr
12th April
Friday
Day prior to Sinhala & Tamil New Year Day
23rd April
Tuesday
Bak Full Moon Poya Day
1st May
Wednesday
May Day
23rd May
Thursday
Vesak Full Moon Poya Day
24th May
Friday
Day following Vesak Full Moon Poya Day
17th June
Monday
Poson Full Moon Poya Day
20th July
Saturday
Esala Full Moon Poya Day
19th August
Monday
Nikini Full Moon Poya Day
17th September
Tuesday
Binari Full Moon Poya Day
31st October
Thursday
Vap Full Moon Poya Day
15th November
Friday
III Full Moon Poya Day
14th December
Saturday
Undavap Full Moon Poya Day
25th December
Wednesday
Christmas Day
Please note that these date were researched and found at a Sri Lankan Government website providing dates for public holidays.
Public Holidays in Sri Lanka - What does it mean for me as a tourist to Sri Lanka?
Some of the Five Precepts have a noticeable effect on Poya Days for visitors.
Meat, Fowl and Fish products are not available to buy.
Alcohol is not available in most places.
All the Wine Stores and Supermarket alcohol sales are closed. Most bars and restaurants also are not allowed to sell alcohol on the day.
Buddhist Temples will be busy
A special Buddhist program is conducted by temples on Poya Days and is called Sil (sometimes spelt Sill).
Typically it starts early in the morning around 6 a.m. and comprises of sermons, discussion, blessings and meditation. It can last for 12 hours and the attendees are normally provided with food and drinks during the day.
If you do decide to visit a temple either during a Poya Day or outside the holidays please remember to dress and act appropriately.
What should I wear?
- Trousers/pants/skirts or any other dress long enough to cover the knee.
- A shirt/t-shirt/blouse or any other dress should cover the shoulders.
- No hats and head cover.
- No shoes/sandals or slippers.
When taking pictures.
It’s really important also not to take photos with your back to the Buddhist Statue.
Please do not touch, sit near or climb on a Buddhist Statue.
Please also get permission to take photos and never take pictures during worship.
Whatever you plan to do on your holiday in Sri Lanka we hope that you enjoy your time on this Paradise Island.
Stay at GlenMyu Estate to explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country
A stay at GlenMyu Estate as you explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country and see sights like Horton Plains National Park is a unique experience.
We only have three bedrooms and you will need to book early during the peak holiday season.
The estate is usually within an hours drive of the major sightseeing locations such as Nine Arch Bridge, Ella Town, Upper Diyaluma Waterfall, Lipton’s Seat, Bambarakanda Waterfall and many more,
GlenMyu Estate is listed on Booking.com and Airbnb.
Contact us by the WhatsApp button on our website for direct booking rates.
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