Commissioner General of Labour N.A.P. Ranawaka has confirmed the full list of mercantile holidays for 2026, clarifying that the day following Vesak Poya will remain on May 2 as originally gazetted.
The statement was issued following public inquiries about whether the Vesak following day — scheduled for May 2 — would be moved, given that Vesak Poya celebrations fall on May 30 this year. The Commissioner confirmed no changes to the gazetted schedule.
The eight mercantile holidays under the Shop and Office Employees Act No. 19 of 1934 are:
- January 15 — Tamil Thai Pongal Day
- February 4 — National Day (Independence Day)
- April 13 — Day prior to Sinhala and Tamil New Year
- April 14 — Sinhala and Tamil New Year Day
- May 1 — International Workers’ Day
- May 2 — Day following Vesak Full Moon Poya Day
- August 26 — Birth of Prophet Muhammad (Milad-un-Nabi)
- December 25 — Christmas Day
The Ministry of Public Administration confirmed that Gazette Notification No. 2404/22 dated May 27, 2025, declaring the 2026 holiday calendar, remains unchanged.
The confirmation is timely with Sinhala and Tamil New Year (Avurudu) falling on April 13-14 — just three days away. Employers in the mercantile sector are legally required to grant these holidays with pay under the Act. Special bus services and security arrangements are already in place for the holiday period.
Sources: Newswire
