📌 Key Takeaways
- Full coverage of Sri Lankan holidays including Poya Days and Bank Holidays
- A4 size (11x8-inch) optimized for easy printing
- Monthly Horizontal layout with Sunday start
- Includes all religious and cultural festivals for 2025
- Perfect for businesses, schools, and personal planning
- Free instant download in PDF format
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The Cultural Significance of Sri Lankan Holidays
Sri Lanka's holiday calendar is special because it celebrates holidays from four major religions: Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam. In 2025, we'll have more than 25 public holidays! Each holiday tells a story about Sri Lanka's rich culture and traditions.
🌟 Did You Know?
Sri Lanka is one of the few countries in the world where people get holidays for festivals from all major religions. This shows how different communities live together peacefully on our island.Understanding Poya Days in 2025
Every full moon day (Poya) is a public holiday in Sri Lanka. In 2025, we'll have 12 Poya days. Each Poya has its own name and special meaning:
- 🌕 Duruthu Poya (January) - Marks Buddha's first visit to Sri Lanka
- 🌕 Navam Poya (February) - Celebrates the first Buddhist council
- 🌕 Medin Poya (March) - Remembers Buddha's visit to his father
Religious and Cultural Festivals 2025
First Quarter (January - March)
The year begins with rich cultural celebrations:
- 🌕 January 13 - Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day: Marks Buddha's first visit to Sri Lanka. People visit temples and offer flowers and incense.
- 🎊 January 14 - Thai Pongal: A harvest festival where Tamil families prepare sweet rice and give thanks for a bountiful harvest.
- 🇱🇰 February 4 - Independence Day: A national celebration with parades and cultural shows marking Sri Lanka's independence in 1948.
- 🌕 February 12 - Navam Full Moon Poya Day: Commemorates the appointment of Buddha's first disciples.
- 🕉️ February 26 - Mahasivarathri Day: A Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, with all-night prayers and fasting.
- 🌕 March 13 - Medin Full Moon Poya Day: Celebrates Buddha's first visit to his father after enlightenment.
- 🌙 March 31 - Id-Ul-Fitr: Marks the end of Ramadan with special prayers and festive meals.
Second Quarter (April - June)
Spring brings some of Sri Lanka's most important celebrations:
- 🌕 April 12 - Bak Full Moon Poya Day: A significant day for Buddhist worship and meditation.
- 🎉 April 13-15 - Sinhala & Tamil New Year: The biggest cultural festival with traditional games, customs, and special meals.
- April 13 - Day prior (for preparations)
- April 14 - New Year Day
- April 15 - Special Bank Holiday
- ✝️ April 18 - Good Friday: Christian observance commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus.
- 👷 May 1 - May Day: International Workers' Day with labor rallies and celebrations.
- 🌕 May 12-13 - Vesak Full Moon Poya Days: Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and passing away are celebrated with lantern displays and alms-giving.
- 🌙 June 7 - Id-Ul-Alha: Islamic festival commemorating Prophet Ibrahim's sacrifice.
- 🌕 June 10 - Poson Full Moon Poya Day: Marks the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
Third Quarter (July - September)
Mid-year brings important cultural and religious observances:
- 🌕 July 10 - Esala Full Moon Poya Day: Commemorates Buddha's first sermon and the arrival of the Tooth Relic in Sri Lanka. The famous Kandy Esala Perahera begins around this time.
- 🌕 August 8 - Nikini Full Moon Poya Day: Marks the first Dharma council after Buddha's passing.
- 🎭 August 9 - Raksha Bandhan: A celebration of brother-sister relationships in Hindu communities.
- 🐘 August 27 - Ganesh Chaturthi: Festival honoring Lord Ganesha with special prayers and sweets.
- 🌙 September 5 - Milad-Un-Nabi: Celebrates Prophet Muhammad's birthday with special prayers and community meals.
- 🌕 September 7 - Binara Full Moon Poya Day: Traditional day for beginning new ventures.
Fourth Quarter (October - December)
The year ends with a series of festive celebrations:
- 🌕 October 6 - Vap Full Moon Poya Day: Marks the end of the Buddhist rain retreat (Vas).
- 🪔 October 20 - Deepavali Festival Day: Hindu festival of lights celebrating victory of light over darkness.
- 🌕 November 5 - Ill Full Moon Poya Day: A day dedicated to making offerings to deities.
- 🌕 December 4 - Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day: Commemorates the arrival of the Bo sapling in Sri Lanka.
- 🎄 December 25 - Christmas Day: Celebration of Jesus Christ's birth with carol services and festive meals.
Additional Cultural Observances
| Date | Observance | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| February 14 | Valentine's Day | Modern celebration of love and friendship |
| March 14 | Holi | Hindu festival of colors |
| March 20 | March Equinox | Beginning of spring |
| April 20 | Easter Sunday | Christian celebration of resurrection |
| May 11 | Mother's Day | Honoring mothers and motherhood |
| June 15 | Father's Day | Celebrating fathers and fatherhood |
| June 21 | June Solstice | Longest day of the year |
| October 2 | Dussehra | Hindu victory celebration |
| December 21 | December Solstice | Shortest day of the year |
Monthly Planning Guide
How to Use Your Sri Lankan Calendar Effectively
- 📅 Business Planning:
- Mark all bank holidays in red
- Note extended holiday periods (like New Year and Vesak)
- Plan around Poya days each month
- 🏫 School Planning:
- Highlight term dates
- Mark exam periods
- Note cultural celebrations for school events
- 👪 Family Planning:
- Circle family celebration days
- Plan ahead for festival preparations
- Schedule family gatherings around holidays
Calendar Features and Benefits
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| A4 Size (11x8-inch) | Perfect fit for office use and home display |
| Vertical Layout | More writing space for daily plans |
| Sunday Start | Follows Sri Lankan standard format |
| Marked Holidays | Easy visualization of free days |
| PDF Format | Print as many copies as needed |
Download and Print Instructions
Quick Setup Guide:
- Click the download button below
- Select "Print" from your PDF reader
- Choose A4 paper size
- Select "Fit to Page"
- Print in color for best results
Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: Can I edit this calendar?
A: The PDF is read-only to maintain design quality, but you can write on it after printing. -
Q: Are all 2025 holidays included?
A: Yes, all public, bank, and major cultural holidays are marked. -
Q: How many copies can I print?
A: You can print as many copies as you need for personal use. -
Q: Will the calendar be updated if holiday dates change?
A: Yes, we update the calendar if there are any official changes to holiday dates. -
Q: Can I use this for my business?
A: Yes, it's perfect for business planning, but commercial redistribution isn't permitted.