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Sanctity, rights and politics - The Island
Share Tweet Friday 1st May, 2026 Two full moon Poya days fall in May 2026, and there are two schools of thought about when Vesak should be observed. One insists that Vesak should be celebrated today, and the other is of the view that Vesak falls on 30 May. This difference of opinion has given rise to some confusion in the minds of the public and even protests in some quarters. The government has said its decision to observe Vesak on 30 May was taken on the recommendation of the Maha Sangha. This issue has come about and drawn so much attention because the International Workers’ Day, known for grand political events in this country, also falls today. The overlap of Poya and May Day this year has been a blessing for some political parties that are not strong enough to stage shows of strength today. They have declared that they do not want to engage in political activities on a day of religious significance and therefore will not hold May Day rallies. Even if Poya had not fallen today, they would not have been able to hold successful May Day rallies. Among the political parties that have decided against holding rallies today are the SLPP and the UNP, which has also used Poya as an excuse for turning down the SJB’s invitation to hold a joint May Day event. The UNP has written to the SJB that it will perform religious observances today in keeping with the late President Ranasinghe Premadasa’s policy that the UNP should not hold May Day rallies if the International Workers’ Day coincides with Poya. The subtext of its letter is that Sajith Premadasa, who leads the SJB, does not follow his late father’s policy. The convergence of Poya and May Day has deprived the JVP/NPP of an opportunity to make a display of its political strength while it is reeling from several scandals and the Opposition is on the offensive. It has opted to hold May Day rallies at the district level. But they will not be as effective as a mammoth May Day rally in Colombo in boosting the morale of the rank and file of the JVP/NPP and sending a message to the Opposition that the government is far from weak. JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva has said the JVP/NPP decided not to bring its members to Colombo for a May Day rally in view of the current fuel crisis. This is not an implausible excuse in that the government would have drawn heavy criticism if it had held a political rally in Colombo while urging the public to use fuel sparingly. It would also have been criticised if it had held a gra...
Print Edition - The Sunday Times, Sri Lanka
The Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna party strongly believes that May 1 is Vesak Day, even though the government shifted the day to May 30. SLPP's General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said religious programmes will be held in electorates as the workers' day falls on Vesak Poya.
Sri Lanka Desk Calendar 2026 with Holidays & Full Details
Sri Lanka Government Official Desk Calendar 2026 with Full Details of Public, Bank, Mercantile, and Full Moon Poya Holidays Issued by the Department of Government Printing
Pleine lune de Vesak : changement de date - Sri Lanka - Forums Routard ...
Suite à une demande des moines au Sri Lanka, et en raison des deux pleines lunes prévues en mai 2026, le gouvernement a annoncé un changement de calendrier. Initialement prévue le 1er mai, la ...
