The stunning island of Sri Lanka, which lies tucked away in the Indian Ocean, has a diverse range of cultures and religions. The nation will commemorate numerous festivals and holidays in 2024 that showcase its variety. The following are some important dates you should note down on your calendar:
January 15 – Monday – Tamil Thai Pongal Day – Public Holiday
Tamil Thai Pongal Day is a harvest festival celebrated with great fervor, particularly by the Tamil community in Sri Lanka. It’s a time for giving thanks for the bounty of the harvest and is marked by feasting and traditional rituals.
January 25 – Thursday – Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day – Public Holiday
Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day commemorates the first visit of Buddha to Sri Lanka. Buddhists across the country observe this day with religious ceremonies and acts of generosity.
February 4 – Sunday – National Day – Public Holiday
National Day in Sri Lanka commemorates the country’s independence from British colonial rule in 1948. It’s a day filled with patriotic fervor, marked by flag hoisting ceremonies, parades, and cultural events.
February 14 – Wednesday – Valentine’s Day – Observance
While not an official holiday, Valentine’s Day is widely observed in Sri Lanka as a day to celebrate love and affection. It’s common for couples to exchange gifts, cards, and romantic gestures on this day.
February 23 – Friday – Navam Full Moon Poya Day – Public Holiday
Navam Full Moon Poya Day celebrates the gathering of Buddhist monks who were ordained by Buddha himself. Devotees visit temples, participate in religious rituals, and engage in acts of charity.
March 8 – Friday – Mahasivarathri Day – Public Holiday
Mahasivarathri, dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva, holds significance for the Hindu community in Sri Lanka. Devotees observe fasts, visit temples, and perform prayers throughout the day.
March 12 – Tuesday – Ramadan Start – Observance
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, begins with fasting, prayer, reflection, and community for Muslims in Sri Lanka. It’s a time of spiritual growth and self-discipline.
March 20 – Wednesday – March Equinox – Season
The March equinox marks the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere and autumn in the southern hemisphere. It’s a time of balance between day and night, symbolizing renewal and growth.
March 24 – Sunday – Madin Full Moon Poya Day – Public Holiday
Madin Full Moon Poya Day commemorates Buddha’s visit to the heavenly abode of Tavatimsa. Buddhists dedicate the day to religious observances, meditation, and acts of kindness.
March 25 – Monday – Holi – Hindu Holiday
Holi, the festival of colors, is celebrated with exuberance by the Hindu community in Sri Lanka. It’s a time for joyous gatherings, music, dance, and the splashing of colorful powders.
March 29 – Friday – Good Friday – Public Holiday
Good Friday is observed by Christians in Sri Lanka to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It’s a day of solemn reflection and religious services in churches across the country.
March 31 – Sunday – Easter Sunday – Observance
Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is an important observance for Christians in Sri Lanka. It’s a day of joyous gatherings, church services, and festive meals.
April 10 – Wednesday – Eid al-Fitr – Public Holiday
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is celebrated by Muslims in Sri Lanka with prayers, feasting, and acts of charity. It’s a time of gratitude and joy for the blessings received during Ramadan.
April 12 – Friday – Sinhala and Tamil New Year’s Eve – Public Holiday
Sinhala and Tamil New Year’s Eve is a time of anticipation and preparation for the traditional New Year celebrations that follow the next day. Families clean their homes, prepare festive foods, and engage in rituals to welcome the New Year.
April 13 – Saturday – Sinhala and Tamil New Year’s Day – Public Holiday
Sinhala and Tamil New Year’s Day marks the beginning of the traditional New Year in Sri Lanka. It’s a time of joyous celebrations, cultural rituals, and family gatherings, symbolizing renewal and prosperity.
April 23 – Tuesday – Bak Full Moon Poya Day – Public Holiday
Bak Full Moon Poya Day commemorates Buddha’s second visit to Sri Lanka and the preaching of his doctrine. Buddhists observe this day with religious ceremonies, meditation, and acts of generosity.
May 1 – Wednesday – May Day – Public Holiday
May Day is celebrated worldwide as a day to honor the contributions of workers. In Sri Lanka, it’s a time for labor unions, workers’ organizations, and activists to advocate for workers’ rights and social justice.
May 12 – Sunday – Mother’s Day – Observance
Mother’s Day is a day to honor and appreciate mothers and mother figures for their love, sacrifices, and nurturing. Families in Sri Lanka express gratitude to mothers with gifts, cards, and acts of kindness.
May 23 – Thursday – Vesak Full Moon Poya Day – Public Holiday
Vesak Full Moon Poya Day is one of the most important Buddhist holidays in Sri Lanka, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha. It’s a time of religious observances, charity, and spiritual reflection.
May 24 – Friday – Day after Vesak Full Moon Poya Day – Public Holiday
The day after Vesak Full Moon Poya Day is a public holiday in Sri Lanka, allowing people to continue their observances, rest, and spend time with family.
June 16 – Sunday – Father’s Day – Observance
Father’s Day is a day to honor and appreciate fathers and father figures for their love, guidance, and support. Families in Sri Lanka celebrate fathers with gifts, cards, and special gestures of appreciation.
June 17 – Monday – Eid al-Adha (Tentative Date) – Public Holiday
Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. Muslims in Sri Lanka celebrate with prayers, feasting, and sharing of meat with family and those in need.
June 21 – Friday – Poson Full Moon Poya Day – Public Holiday
Poson Full Moon Poya Day commemorates the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka by Mahinda, the son of Emperor Ashoka, in the 3rd century BCE. It’s a day of religious observances, pilgrimages, and cultural activities.
June 21 – Friday – June Solstice – Season
The June solstice marks the beginning of summer in the northern hemisphere and winter in the southern hemisphere. It’s the longest day of the year in terms of daylight in the northern hemisphere, symbolizing warmth and abundance.
July 20 – Saturday – Esala Full Moon Poya Day – Public Holiday
Esala Full Moon Poya Day commemorates the first sermon delivered by Buddha, known as the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. Buddhists in Sri Lanka observe this day with religious rituals, meditation, and acts of generosity.
August 19 – Monday – Raksha Bandhan – Hindu Holiday
Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters tie rakhi, or sacred threads, on their brothers’ wrists as a symbol of protection, and brothers offer gifts in return.
August 19 – Monday – Nikini Full Moon Poya Day – Public Holiday
Nikini Full Moon Poya Day marks the end of the Buddhist lent period and the return of monks to their monasteries. It’s a day of religious observances, merit-making, and spiritual renewal.
September 7 – Saturday – Ganesh Chaturthi – Hindu Holiday
Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity of wisdom and prosperity. Hindus in Sri Lanka observe this day with prayers, rituals, and the installation of Ganesha idols.
September 16 – Monday – Milad-Un-Nabi (Holy Prophet’s Birthday) (Tentative Date) – Public Holiday
Milad-Un-Nabi, also known as Mawlid, commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam. Muslims in Sri Lanka celebrate with prayers, readings from the Quran, and communal meals.
September 17 – Tuesday – Binara Full Moon Poya Day – Public Holiday
Binara Full Moon Poya Day commemorates Buddha’s preaching of the Vinaya, the code of discipline for monks, to a group of 1,250 arahants. Buddhists observe this day with religious activities and offerings.
September 22 – Sunday – September Equinox – Season
The September equinox marks the beginning of autumn in the northern hemisphere and spring in the southern hemisphere. It’s a time of transition and balance between day and night.
October 13 – Sunday – Dussehra – Hindu Holiday
Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, celebrates the victory of good over evil, symbolized by Lord Rama’s triumph over the demon king Ravana. Hindus in Sri Lanka observe this day with prayers, rituals, and reenactments of the Ramayana.
October 17 – Thursday – Vap Full Moon Poya Day – Public Holiday
Vap Full Moon Poya Day commemorates Buddha’s visit to the heavenly abode of Tavatimsa to teach his mother, Queen Mahamaya. Buddhists observe this day with religious observances, meditation, and acts of charity.
October 31 – Thursday – Deepavali – Public Holiday
Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is the festival of lights celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists worldwide. In Sri Lanka, it’s a time of joyous celebrations, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.
November 15 – Friday – Il Full Moon Poya Day – Public Holiday
Il Full Moon Poya Day commemorates Buddha’s visit to Isipatana in present-day Sarnath, India, where he delivered his first sermon. Buddhists observe this day with religious rituals, meditation, and acts of generosity.
December 14 – Saturday – Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day – Public Holiday
Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day commemorates the arrival of Sangamitta Theri, the daughter of Emperor Ashoka, with a sapling of the sacred Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura. Buddhists observe this day with religious ceremonies and offerings.
December 21 – Saturday – December Solstice – Season
The December solstice marks the beginning of winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in the southern hemisphere. It’s the shortest day of the year in terms of daylight in the northern hemisphere, symbolizing introspection and renewal.
December 24 – Tuesday – Christmas Eve – Observance
Christmas Eve is observed by Christians in Sri Lanka with anticipation and preparations for the upcoming celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Families attend church services, exchange gifts, and gather for festive meals.
December 25 – Wednesday – Christmas Day – Public Holiday
Christmas Day celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and is one of the most important Christian holidays in Sri Lanka. It’s a time of joyous celebrations, church services, and sharing love and goodwill with others.
These holidays and observances in Sri Lanka showcase the country’s vibrant cultural mosaic and provide opportunities for communities to come together in celebration, reflection, and solidarity. Whether commemorating religious milestones, honoring national heritage, or celebrating the bonds of family and community, each occasion adds depth and richness to the Sri Lankan cultural tapestry.