The Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education has announced a revision to the final dates of the 2025 academic year for all government schools, government-approved private schools, and Pirivenas.
According to the circular issued today by the Ministry Secretary, Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewa, the revised schedule is as follows:
School Holidays for 2025
- Sinhala and Tamil Medium Schools: The academic year will conclude on Monday, December 22, 2025. School holidays will be effective from December 23, 2025, to January 4, 2026.
- Muslim Schools: The academic year will conclude on Friday, December 26, 2025. School holidays will be effective from December 27, 2025, to January 4, 2026.
Reopening for 2026
All schools island-wide are scheduled to reopen for the first phase of the first term of the 2026 academic year on Monday, January 5, 2026.
Additional Information
The Ministry clarified that the first term of 2026 will operate according to the instructions previously issued on December 9, 2025. Furthermore, the second and third terms of 2026 will proceed as originally planned in the school term circular (No. 30/2025) dated September 11, 2025.
The circular also explicitly states that there will be no change to the dates of school examinations published by the Department of Examinations.
Key Dates Summary
| Category | Last Day of School (2025) | Vacation Period | School Reopens (2026) |
| Sinhala & Tamil Schools | Dec 22, 2025 (Mon) | Dec 23 – Jan 04 | Jan 05, 2026 (Mon) |
| Muslim Schools | Dec 26, 2025 (Fri) | Dec 27 – Jan 04 | Jan 05, 2026 (Mon) |
