📅 OFFICIAL GAZETTE & TRAVEL GUIDE

Sri Lanka Holidays in November 2026

Name: Ill Full Moon Poya Day
Start: 2026-11-24
End: 2026-11-24
Location: Sri Lanka

Deepavali Festival of Lights, Il Poya & Migratory Birds. Sourced from official Sri Lanka Government Gazettes with travel weather advice and smart leave hacks.

🏛️ Total: 2 Holidays 🌕 1 Poya Day 🌴 1 Long Weekend

💡

Deepavali Long Weekend Hack

⚡ Smart Equation: 1 Day Leave = 3 Days Off

Launch Leave Optimizer ➔

Deepavali on Sunday, Nov 8 makes for an inspiring cultural weekend getaway. Take Friday, Nov 6 off to enjoy a 3-day nature expedition.

Fri

6 Nov

💡 Take Leave

Sat

7 Nov

🌴 Weekend

Sun

8 Nov

🪔 Deepavali

📅 Official November 2026 Holidays

Gazette Verified

Sun 8 Nov

Deepavali Festival Day

සිංහල: දීපාවලී උත්සව දිනය • தமிழ்: தீபாவளி பண்டிகை தினம்

Hindu festival of lights illuminating homes with clay oil lamps.

🏛️ Public 💳 Bank 🌴 Long Weekend

Tue 24 Nov

Ill Full Moon Poya Day

සිංහල: ඉල් පුර පසළොස්වක පෝය දිනය • தமிழ்: இல் பௌர்ணமி தினம்

Santhi Nibbana of Sariputta Thero and dispatching first missionaries.

🌕 Poya Day 🏛️ Public 💳 Bank

📖 Cultural & Religious Context

November illuminates Sri Lanka with Deepavali (the Hindu Festival of Lights) symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. Families light clay lamps (diyas), wear new silk attire, and share sweets. November also features Il Full Moon Poya Day.

🎒 School Vacations: Third term end-of-year exams conclude in late November before the major December school holidays.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

❓ When is Deepavali in Sri Lanka in 2026?

Deepavali falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026, and is an official Public and Bank holiday.

❓ When is Il Poya in 2026?

Il Full Moon Poya Day is observed on Tuesday, November 24, 2026.

🏖️

Best Places to Visit in November (South Coast Opening)

Thousands of migratory birds arrive from Siberia and Northern Europe into national bird sanctuaries. The Southern and Western coast waters begin clearing up in anticipation of the upcoming winter sunshine season.