With just nine days until 2025, the Government Printing Department has unveiled the official calendar for the upcoming year, featuring 26 public holidays. Among these, April stands out with the highest number of holidays, offering four in total.
Key Highlights of the 2025 Holiday Calendar
- April’s Celebrations: Sinhala and Tamil New Year falls on Monday, 14 April, with Sunday, 13 April, observed as a preparatory day. Additionally, Vesak Full Moon Poya Day, a significant Buddhist celebration, is on Monday, 12 May.
- Special Bank Holiday: Tuesday, 15 April, has been declared a special bank holiday, following the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.
- Christmas on a Thursday: Christmas Day, 25 December, will fall on a Thursday, allowing for an extended holiday weekend.
Complete List of Public Holidays for 2025
- Monday, 13 January: Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day
- Tuesday, 14 January: Tamil Thai Pongal Day
- Tuesday, 4 February: Independence Day
- Wednesday, 12 February: Navam Full Moon Poya Day
- Wednesday, 26 February: Maha Shivaratri Day
- Thursday, 13 March: Medin Full Moon Poya Day
- Monday, 31 March: Eid-ul-Fitr (Ramadan Festival Day)
- Saturday, 12 April: Bak Full Moon Poya Day
- Sunday, 13 April: Day Before Sinhala and Tamil New Year
- Monday, 14 April: Sinhala and Tamil New Year Day
- Tuesday, 15 April: Special Bank Holiday
- Friday, 18 April: Good Friday
- Thursday, 1 May: International Labour Day
- Monday, 12 May: Vesak Full Moon Poya Day
- Tuesday, 13 May: Day After Vesak Full Moon Poya
- Saturday, 7 June: Eid al-Adha (Hajj Festival Day)
- Tuesday, 10 June: Poson Full Moon Poya Day
- Thursday, 10 July: Esala Full Moon Poya Day
- Friday, 8 August: Nikini Full Moon Poya Day
- Friday, 5 September: Milad-un-Nabi (Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday)
- Sunday, 7 September: Binara Full Moon Poya Day
- Monday, 6 October: Vap Full Moon Poya Day
- Monday, 20 October: Deepavali Festival Day
- Wednesday, 5 November: Ill Full Moon Poya Day
- Thursday, 4 December: Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day
- Thursday, 25 December: Christmas Day
Any changes to public holidays will be communicated through official gazette notifications.
Full Moon Poya holidays were approved by the Poya Committee and will be observed across all sectors, including the Departments of Posts, Customs, and Meteorology, ensuring nationwide compliance.
