In Sri Lanka, the allocation of vacation leave, also known as annual leave, is contingent on the duration of service within a service year.

Leave Entitlement

Employees who have served for less than 10 months in a service year are entitled to one day of paid leave for each month of completed service. Conversely, if an employee has served for more than 10 months in a service year, they are entitled to 14 days of paid annual leave.

Key Points to Note

The computation of leave entitlement is typically based on a 12-month service year. Leave is calculated proportionally for periods of service less than a full year. Unused leave can be carried over to the subsequent year, subject to certain restrictions. Some sectors may have slightly different provisions outlined in relevant Collective Agreements.

Sri Lanka celebrates a variety of public holidays, which include fixed national holidays and Poya Days, determined by the lunar calendar.

National Holidays

Sri Lanka's national holidays include:

• National Day: This holiday is celebrated on February 4th to commemorate Sri Lanka's independence from British rule in 1948.
• Sinhala and Tamil New Year Day: Celebrated in April, the date varies based on astrological calculations.
• May Day: Celebrated on May 1st, this day is also known as International Workers' Day.
• Vesak Day: Celebrated in May, this is the most significant Buddhist holiday. The date varies based on the lunar calendar.
• Poson Day: This Buddhist holiday is celebrated in June, with the date varying based on the lunar calendar.
• Christmas Day: Celebrated on December 25th.

Poya Days

Poya Days are Buddhist holidays that occur on every full moon day of the lunar calendar, typically resulting in 12 Poya Days per year. On these days, many businesses and shops close, and the sale of alcohol and meat is often restricted.

Other Religious Holidays

Sri Lanka also observes several other religious holidays:

• Thai Pongal Day: A Tamil Hindu harvest festival celebrated in January.
• Id-Ul-Fitr (Ramazan Festival Day): This holiday marks the end of Ramadan. The date varies according to the Islamic calendar.
• Id-Ul-Adha (Hadji Festival Day): This is the Islamic feast of sacrifice. The date varies according to the Islamic calendar.
• Deepavali Festival Day: Celebrated in October or November, this is the Hindu festival of lights.
• Milad-Un-Nabi (Holy Prophet's Birthday): This Islamic holiday's date varies according to the Islamic calendar.

In Sri Lanka, employees are entitled to various types of leave, each with its own set of rules and regulations.

Annual Leave (Vacation Leave)

Employees are entitled to 14 days of paid annual leave after completing a year of service. Leave entitlement is prorated for shorter periods of service. This is according to the Shop and Office Employees Act. However, specific ordinances may offer more generous leave for certain sectors.

Casual Leave

Typically, employees are entitled to 7 days of casual leave per year for personal matters or illnesses. This is also according to the Shop and Office Employees Act.

Sick Leave

Employees are entitled to 14 days of paid sick leave per year if supported by a medical certificate. This is also according to the Shop and Office Employees Act.

Maternity Leave

Female employees are entitled to 84 days of paid maternity leave (approximately 12 weeks). This is according to the Maternity Benefits Ordinance.

Paternity Leave

Limited paternity leave is available. The duration depends on individual company policies or collective agreements.

Other Notable Leave Types

Some companies offer pilgrimage leave for religious observances. Study leave may be granted for employees furthering their education. Special leave may be granted for unforeseen circumstances, depending on company policy.

Important Considerations

Agreements in specific sectors may provide more generous leave entitlements. Employers often outline specific details and procedures regarding leave in their employee handbooks. Leave eligibility may vary depending on the specific employment sector.