Sri Lanka public holidays 2027

What are Sri Lanka's public holidays in 2027?

Quick answer: Sri Lanka has 25 holidays in 2027 on the Central Bank's official list, including 12 full moon Poya days. The biggest for travellers are Sinhala and Tamil New Year on 13 and 14 April and Vesak on 19 and 20 May. Nine long weekends of three days each fall in 2027, when buses, trains and hotels near popular sites get busier.

The full list of 2027 holidays

B is a bank holiday, P a public holiday and M a mercantile holiday, as marked by the CBSL.

The CBSL also notes that every Saturday and Sunday is a bank holiday.

What do bank, public and mercantile holidays mean?

The CBSL list gives the letters but does not define them, so the right-hand column is general guidance. All 25 dates are bank and public holidays. Eight are also mercantile holidays: Thai Pongal, Independence Day, the two New Year days, May Day, the day after Vesak, Milad-Un-Nabi and Christmas. Our money and ATMs guide covers getting cash, and the visa guide covers extensions.

When are the Poya days in 2027?

Poya is the full moon day, and every one is a holiday. In 2027 there are 12:

Poya days are religious days, so expect temples to be busier. If you plan to visit a big temple on a Poya day, go early and dress for the temple. Our guide to visiting sacred sites and what to wear guide explain the dress rules. Some businesses change their hours on Poya days, so check with your hotel the day before.

What are the long weekends in 2027?

A holiday on a Friday or Monday, or a Sunday holiday next to a Monday holiday, makes a three-day weekend:

There are also two midweek pairs: New Year on Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 April, and Vesak on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 May.

On long weekends, book long-distance train seats and rooms near the beaches and hill country early, and allow more time on the roads. Our bus routes and fares guide lists backup buses if trains are full.

Which 2027 holidays matter most for travellers?

Sinhala and Tamil New Year (13 and 14 April). Both days are bank, public and mercantile holidays, the only back-to-back pair of that kind in 2027, so plan for closures and busy transport around them. Our Sri Lanka in April guide covers the weather and what to expect that month.

Vesak (19 and 20 May). A major Buddhist holiday, and the day after is also a holiday. See our Sri Lanka in May guide.

Poson (18 June). A Friday in 2027, so it makes a long weekend. Mihintale is especially busy around Poson; see our Mihintale page.

Esala Poya (18 July). The Kandy Esala Perahera takes its name from Esala. The Temple of the Tooth sets the procession dates, which are not on the CBSL list. Our festival calendar explains how to check them.

Navam Poya (20 February). Our Sri Lanka in February guide reported on 17 October 2026 that Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo lists its 2027 Navam Perahera for 19 and 20 February.

Deepawali (28 October) and Thai Pongal (15 January). Hindu festivals, celebrated at kovils across the north and east and in Colombo. Our Hindu temple circuit lists temples to visit.

Eid-Ul-Fitr (10 March) and Eid-Ul-Alha (17 May). See our guide for Muslim travellers.

How do the 2027 holidays fit with the weather?

The holidays do not change the seasons, but they change how busy places are. In January to March, the south and west coasts are in their dry season and the long weekends there are busy. In April and May, New Year and Vesak fall in the inter-monsoon months. Our best time to visit guide and month guides for March and December cover the weather.