Lifestyle & Culture Policy

2026 mercantile holidays list confirmed; Vesak following day clarified

The Commissioner General of Labour, N.A.P. Ranawaka, has issued a statement confirming the list of mercantile holidays for 2026, following inquiries about the Vesak Poya day (May 30) and the day after Vesak Poya.

Per the holidays listed out by the Commissioner General of Labour, the day after Vesak Poya has been declared as May 02, 2026.

The announcement, made under Section 7 of the Shop and Office Employees Act No. 19 of 1934 and in line with Gazette Notification No. 944/ dated October 14, 1906, sets out eight public holidays for the year:

January 15 – Tamil Thai Pongal Day
February 04 – National Day (Independence Day)
April 13 – Day prior to Sinhala and Tamil New Year
April 14 – Sinhala and Tamil New Year Day
May 01 – International Workers’ Day
May 02 – Day following Vesak Full Moon Poya Day
May 26 – Birth of Prophet Muhammad (Milad‑un‑Nabi)
December 25 – Christmas Day

The Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government has confirmed that Gazette Notification No. 2404/22 dated May 27, 2025, declaring holidays for 2026, remains unchanged.

Authorities state that the arrangement of public holidays for 2026 will remain as set out above.

source: Newswire