The Excise Department today announced that the sale of alcoholic beverages will be prohibited islandwide on 19 designated days in 2026, including public holidays and Full Moon Poya days.
Deputy Commissioner and Excise spokesperson A. A. Roshan Perera stated that the directive was issued on the orders of the Excise Commissioner General.
The 19 dry days include 12 Full Moon Buddhist Poya holidays, Independence Day, the Sinhala and Tamil New Year holidays, World Temperance Day, and Christmas Day.
The full list of dry days for 2026 is:
- Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day – Saturday, January 3
- Nawam Full Moon Poya Day – Sunday, February 1
- Independence Day – Wednesday, February 4
- Medin Full Moon Poya Day – Monday, March 2
- Bak Full Moon Poya Day – Wednesday, April 1
- Day prior to Sinhala and Tamil New Year – Monday, April 13
- Sinhala and Tamil New Year Day – Tuesday, April 14
- Vesak Full Moon Poya Day – Friday, May 1
- Day following Vesak Full Moon Poya Day – Saturday, May 2
- Adi Poson Full Moon Poya Day – Saturday, May 30
- Poson Full Moon Poya Day – Monday, June 29
- Esala Full Moon Poya Day – Wednesday, July 29
- Nikini Full Moon Poya Day – Thursday, August 27
- Binara Full Moon Poya Day – Saturday, September 26
- World Temperance Day – Saturday, October 3
- Vap Full Moon Poya Day – Sunday, October 25
- Il Full Moon Poya Day – Tuesday, November 24
- Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day – Wednesday, December 23
- Christmas Day – Friday, December 25
Exemptions have been granted for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year holidays and Christmas Day. On these three occasions, the sale of alcoholic beverages will be permitted for in-house guests at specific establishments, including Tourist Board-approved three-star and above hotels holding Excise License FL 07, boutique hotels, boutique villas, and hotels operating under special permits.
The Excise Department urged all licensed premises and the public to strictly follow the regulations, warning that legal action would be taken against any violators.
