2016 Dec 28
Without a doubt, most of us want to get away from our daily routines of going to work (be it fun or amazingly dull) or studying or doing God knows what else you do normally. When I say get away, I’m sure most of you would agree that you’d like to do so for more than just a measly weekend. A much deserved vacation should ideally last for about a week! Yes, I know this is naive, wishful thinking, but hey! You know you want it. Well, my fellow Lankans, with the good fortune that 2016 somewhat lacked, 2017 makes up for in terms of our glorious public holidays! The year of 2017 will be the year of නිවාඩු Wholesale!
So how about we walk the talk, and actually plan out for more than a handful of long holidays for 2017, eh?
January 2017
Getting down to it, January starts out a bit meh. However, here’s the chance to grab a 4 day long weekend. Friday isn’t a holiday, but that’s why we have this life-saving thing called “taking leave”!
But here are a couple of things to keep in mind:
- January 12 is a poya day, so keep in mind that there will be no alcohol or meat will be sold on this day. If you’re planning on having a party that may witness your secrets being spilled and may go on for a considerable while, remember to STOCK UP before Jan 12!
- The Hill Country plus west- and south-coast beaches will be the busiest and driest.
- With more people attempting to go on holidays, places to stay will become limited in a flash and prices will also sky-rocket through the roof.
- The Maha monsoon season (October to January) means that the East, North and Ancient Cities will experience rain.
February 2017
With a total of 3 public holidays, February starts to get a bit interesting. Since Independence Day falls on a Saturday, the purpose of this day being up for grabs to enjoy a long weekend is a bit lost, but those of you who have to work on Saturdays will probably get a holiday. So yay!
February 10, Friday, will be a holiday. This means that you’ll have Friday, Saturday and Sunday to go on a trip. If you really really need some R&R, you could even take Monday off. But, don’t worry. You could still go on another adventure from February 24 to 26, given that Friday the 24th is Maha Shivarathri! (PS- You could begin prematurely pestering your Hindu friends for some tasty treats a few days before!)
But don’t forget:
- February 10 is a poya day, so again no alcohol or meat will be sold on this day. So STOCK UP before Feb 10!
- The Hill Country and west- and south-coast beaches will be dry.
March 2017
You might want to skip the month of March if you want to go on a holiday that lasts more than 2 days because Poya falls on a Sunday. Oh well.
April 2017
Ah, April. The month we Sri Lankans all love! Why? Just take a look at this wonderful calendar! Aside from the fun Aluth Avururdu activities that take place this month, the holidays are in abundance and April is the month for you if you wish to take a week long holiday! All you have to do is take the 11th and 12th off and you’re good to go!
Good Friday will also take place on the same day as the Sinhala & Tamil New Year. On a positive note, Easter Sunday will be on February 16. Although it’s a Sunday, it will still be a day of joy and celebration and of course, Easter Eggs as well as candy!
Remember:
- April 10 is a poya day, so STOCK UP before April 10!
- Furthermore, with Sinhala & Tamil New Year’s Eve and New Year falling on the 13th and 14th of February, the distribution of alcohol will most likely be halted on these two days. Therefore, buy all your “essentials” before these days and you’ll be fine.
- April will most probably offer the best odds for good weather countrywide.
- However, majority of us will plan holidays for this week, so make your bookings well in advance to avoid any unwelcome circumstances!
May 2017
May is yet another fabulous month! Streets almost everywhere will be adorned with beautiful Vesak Lanterns, Vesak Pandols (Thoran) will light up the roads and oh the unforgettable dansals! Yup, May is a great month for us Lankans, especially if you have the patience to stand in long long queues!
To start off, May Day will be on the 1st; so there’s one avoidable Monday! You could commence a journey Friday evening and get back home Monday night, just in time to get some rest and hit the office on Tuesday.
Then of course, we have the 10th, 11th, 13th AND 14th!!!! The mere thought of this string of holidays that May will have has already got my mind going haywire with all the places I could choose as my travel destination!
Don’t forget to stock up on drinks and meat before Vesak!
If you’re hoping to travel you should keep in mind that in May, the south and west coasts plus the Hill Country will experience rainy weather. The weather in the North and East is best. So pick your travel destinations wisely!
June 2017
Since June 08 is a Thursday, you could take a day off on Friday and enjoy a nice long weekend, perhaps on a vacation or even just chilling in the comforts of your own home.
Id-ul-Fitr is likely to fall on June 26, Monday, and this is something we’d all appreciate! You could avoid another Monday and laze around doing anything that pleases you.
Also, you should remember to bug your Muslim buddies for Biriyani and Watalappan. Speaking of watalappan, here’s how you can make some if you need to satisfy your sweet tooth!
The weather during this month is like that of May; the south and west coasts and the Hill Country will be a bit on the gloomy side. Keep these in mind in order to plan trip that won’t disappoint!
July 2017
July won’t get you too far when it comes to enjoying extra holidays. The only public holiday for the month is the Poya day, which falls on July 08, a Saturday.
August 2017
Like July, August has just one public holiday which is the Nikini Full Moon Poya Day, but this day falls on a Monday. So here we have yet another golden opportunity to miss the plights of a godawful Monday! You can go on a trip somewhere in the North or East of Sri Lanka since those areas will experience better weather.
September 2017
The first holiday of the ninth month will be on the first day of September. Hajj, which is usually a bank and public holiday, is scheduled to be celebrated on Friday, September 01. In addition to the yummy treats you can get from your Muslim friends, you could also take advantage of the long weekend here and treat yourself to a good getaway.
The next holiday would be the monthly Poya day, which falls on Tuesday, September 05. Ah, here’s another chance you can use up another one of your day-offs. Take Monday off, and voila! You have the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th to go on a nice long vacation! Perhaps a nice lonely beach in Trincomalee or a chilled out trip to Nuwara Eliya. The choice is all yours!
October 2017
Poya in October falls on Thursday the 5th so there’s another chance to grab a long weekend if you are unable to do so in the months before. The weather during October is usually good, other than the few showers of rain that may occur here and there, so this month may be a pretty good one to travel.
November 2017
November, so far, has just one holiday, which is Poya. Luckily, this Poya falls on November 03, Friday, which gives way to 3 day long weekend. So plan accordingly peeps!
December 2017
And we’re down to the last month of 2017. The Birth of Prophet Muhammad this year was a public, mercantile and bank holiday. Hence, it is most likely that it will be so in 2017 as well. In that case, you’ve got your self another long weekend!
Then of course we have Christmas Day! If you aren’t going to be hosting or going to any parties with family and friends, then you can spend Christmas 2017 away from home! If you want to experience a chill you wouldn’t usually feel in Colombo, then you could spend your Christmas in Nuwara Eliya. This year it somewhat snowed there, so if you missed the chance this year, why not try your luck in 2017!
Well, that’s about it for Lankan holidays in 2017. Always remember to purchase any meat and drinks before a Poya day and you’ll most likely be good to go. Happy New Year!
