National Day of Sri Lanka

national dayThe National Day of Sri Lanka is on the 4 February (Independence Day, from the United Kingdom 1948, still under name of Ceylon). Each year they have dances, singing and other performances that showcase the Sri Lankan unity and culture. The public holidays for Sri Lanka have been added below. Search this website for more national and independence days from around the world.

National Day of Sri Lanka

As you will know that the National Day of Sri Lanka is on the 4th February to celebrate their independence from British colonial rule in 1948. The road to independence took many forms. There was a rise in nationalism. This gave rise to wanting greater political control over their own affairs. Political parties also started to form.

The Ceylon National Congress and the Lanka Sama Samaja Party as an example want the independence for Ceylon from British rule. There had also been political reforms already in the 1930’s. This allowed Sri Lankan leaders to have more control over the country. After World War II the leaders demanded the complete independence of the country from Britain. After negotiations we had an independent Sri Lanka on the 4th February 4th 1948.

The process was similar to Suriname with its Dutch rulers. See the National Day of Suriname as another example of this process. See also the National Day of Vietnam as well as the National Day of Thailand.

Public Holidays in Sri Lanka

The following are the major public holidays celebrated in Sri Lanka:

  • New Year’s Day – January 1st
  • Tamil Thai Pongal Day – January 14th
  • National Day – February 4th
  • Mahashivaratri – Date varies (usually in February/March)
  • Sinhala and Tamil New Year – April 13th and 14th
  • Labor Day – May 1st
  • Vesak Day – Date varies (usually in May)
  • Poson Full Moon Poya Day – Date varies (usually in June)
  • Esala Full Moon Poya Day – Date varies (usually in July/August)
  • Id-Ul-Fitr (Ramadan Festival Day) – Date varies (usually in May/June)
  • Id-Ul-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) – Date varies (usually in July/August)
  • Binara Full Moon Poya Day – Date varies (usually in September)
  • Deepavali (Festival of Lights) – Date varies (usually in October/November)
  • Milad-Un-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet) – Date varies (usually in October/November)
  • Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day – Date varies (usually in December)
See also  National Day of Zambia

Note that the dates of some of these holidays may vary depending on the lunar calendar.

 

 

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