Sri Lanka Mercantile Holidays 2026
All 20 mercantile (private sector) holidays in Sri Lanka for 2026, with dates and days of the week, plus the public holidays that are not mercantile holidays.
20 mercantile holidays in 2026, 6 of them on weekends.
| Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|
03 Jan 2026 Saturday | Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day | BankPublicMercantile |
15 Jan 2026 Thursday | Tamil Thai Pongal Day | BankPublicMercantile |
01 Feb 2026 Sunday | Navam Full Moon Poya Day | BankPublicMercantile |
04 Feb 2026 Wednesday | Independence Day | BankPublicMercantile |
02 Mar 2026 Monday | Medin Full Moon Poya Day | BankPublicMercantile |
01 Apr 2026 Wednesday | Bak Full Moon Poya Day | BankPublicMercantile |
13 Apr 2026 Monday | Day Prior to Sinhala & Tamil New Year Day | BankPublicMercantile |
14 Apr 2026 Tuesday | Sinhala & Tamil New Year Day | BankPublicMercantile |
01 May 2026 Friday | Vesak Full Moon Poya Day & May Day (International Workers' Day) | BankPublicMercantile |
02 May 2026 Saturday | Day Following Vesak Full Moon Poya Day | BankPublicMercantile |
30 May 2026 Saturday | Adhi Poson Full Moon Poya Day | BankPublicMercantile |
29 Jun 2026 Monday | Poson Full Moon Poya Day | BankPublicMercantile |
29 Jul 2026 Wednesday | Esala Full Moon Poya Day | BankPublicMercantile |
26 Aug 2026 Wednesday | Milad-Un-Nabi (Holy Prophet's Birthday) | BankPublicMercantile |
27 Aug 2026 Thursday | Nikini Full Moon Poya Day | BankPublicMercantile |
26 Sep 2026 Saturday | Binara Full Moon Poya Day | BankPublicMercantile |
25 Oct 2026 Sunday | Vap Full Moon Poya Day | BankPublicMercantile |
24 Nov 2026 Tuesday | Ill Full Moon Poya Day | BankPublicMercantile |
23 Dec 2026 Wednesday | Unduwap Full Moon Poya Day | BankPublicMercantile |
25 Dec 2026 Friday | Christmas Day | BankPublicMercantile |
Public holidays that are not mercantile holidays
These are public holidays in 2026, but private sector staff may still be expected to work. Check with your employer.
| Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|
15 Feb 2026 Sunday | Mahasivarathri Day | BankPublic |
21 Mar 2026 Saturday | Eid-Ul-Fitr (Ramazan Festival Day) | BankPublic |
03 Apr 2026 Friday | Good Friday | BankPublic |
28 May 2026 Thursday | Eid-Ul-Adha (Hadji Festival Day) | BankPublic |
08 Nov 2026 Sunday | Deepawali Festival Day | BankPublic |
About mercantile holidays
Mercantile holidays are the days observed as holidays in the private and commercial sector. Most coincide with public holidays, but not all of them do, so check the second table above before you plan leave. Dates and observance can vary by sector, and your employer's policy may differ.
Frequently asked questions
What is a mercantile holiday in Sri Lanka?
A mercantile holiday is a day observed as a holiday in the private and commercial sector. The mercantile list is published separately from the public holiday list, and most days appear on both.
Are all public holidays also mercantile holidays?
Not always. Public holidays that are not mercantile holidays in 2026: 5. They are listed in the second table on this page.
Can mercantile holidays change?
Yes. Dates and observance can change with official notices, and some employers follow their own sector rules. Confirm with official sources or your employer if it matters.
Want to plan time off around these dates? See Sri Lanka long weekends or use the interactive holiday planner.