💼 PRIVATE SECTOR & CORPORATE CALENDAR
Sri Lanka Mercantile Holidays 2026
Complete schedule of statutory non-working days for private sector companies, IT firms, agencies, and Shop & Office Act employees.
⚖️ Private Sector Holiday Rules in Sri Lanka (Shop & Office Act)
In Sri Lanka, public sector employees receive ~25 holidays annually. However, private sector employees (under the Shop and Office Employees Act) are legally guaranteed 9 official mercantile holidays + 12 Poya days (total ~21 statutory holidays).
🌕 Poya Day Rights
Every Full Moon Poya Day is a mandatory paid holiday for private companies. If requested to work, double pay or an alternative off day is mandated by law.
💰 Overtime / Double Pay
Working on a declared mercantile holiday requires the employer to pay twice the regular rate of daily wages or provide a compensatory paid day off.