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What are Poya days?
Poya days mark the full moon in the Buddhist calendar and occur roughly once a month. They are public holidays, and rules such as alcohol sales may be restricted on these dates.
Planning around Poya days
Some temples and religious sites are busier on Poya days due to local observances, which can make for an interesting cultural experience but also larger crowds at popular sites.
Other public holidays
Sri Lanka observes a range of religious and national holidays reflecting its Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian communities, including the Sinhala and Tamil New Year in April.
What travellers should expect
Some shops, banks and offices may close or operate reduced hours on public holidays, so plan transport bookings and errands accordingly, especially around major holiday periods.
