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Recently in Sri Lanka, there has been an active development of the work culture. The government has improved minimum wages, vying for foreign investments and ensuring decent conditions.

Working Hours in Sri Lanka

Work hours for office-goers and labour are different. Normally, an office-worker would put in about 8 hours, from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Banks work from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The shops and markets are in full swing between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Wages in Sri Lanka

The Sri Lankan government has set a minimum wage of Rs. 10, 000 per month for workers in any industry, field, etc. The manual labour wages are fixed at Rs. 400 per day. To find out and compare average salaries available in different job profiles and for details, check: wageindicator.org/main/salary/minimum-wage/sri-lanka or www.paylab.com/LK/salaries.

Work Contracts in Sri Lanka

A contract would decide the benefits due to the employee, the employer's responsibilities towards the employee, and what would be the period of notice in case either party goes for termination of employment, etc.

There can be different types of employments: seasonal, apprentice, casual, etc. and these would have to be taken into consideration for building a contract.

Any new employee would have to work initially for a probationary period, which would have a different set of benefits and rules. After this is over, the confirmed work terms would be much improved and would continue.

Termination in Sri Lanka

Period of termination are worked out in the contract which is signed between the worker and his employer. Usually, if a person wishes to quit prior to completion of probation, the length of notice-period would be shorter and less obligatory than if he has been confirmed.

Time Off and Holidays

The workforce in Sri Lanka has a set scheme of paid leave, casual leave, sick leave, and annual vacation time. For the exact breakup, the HR of your organisation will advise you upon joining.

Within the country, Sundays are off and on every full moon day, it is a Poya holiday. Muslim establishments would have weekly days off on Fridays.

Certain national holidays are fixed for all, such as the Sinhalese New Year, National Day, and Thaipongal.

Example of Public Holidays in Sri Lanka:

Day	Date	Holiday
Monday	January 01	Duruthu Full Moon Poya
Sunday	January 14	Tamil Thai Pongal Day
Monday	January 15	Tamil Thai Pongal Day Holiday
Wednesday	January 31	Navam Full Moon Poya
Sunday	February 04	National Day
Monday	February 05	Special Bank Holiday
Tuesday	February 13	Maha Shivratri
Thursday	March 01	Madin Full Moon Poya
Friday	March 30	Good Friday
Saturday	March 31	Bak Full Moon Poya
Friday	April 13	Sinhala and Tamil New Year Eve
Saturday	April 14	Sinhala and Tamil New Year
Friday	April 20	Half Day Special Bank Holiday
Sunday	April 29	Vesak Full Moon Poya
Monday	April 30	Vesak Full Moon Poya Holiday
Tuesday	May 01	May Day
Tuesday	May 29	Adi-Poson Full Moon Poya
Friday	June 15	Idul Fitr
Wednesday	June 27	Poson Full Moon Poya
Friday	July 27	Esala Full Moon Poya
Wednesday	August 22	Idul Adha
Saturday	August 25	Nikini Full Moon Poya
Monday	September 24	Binara Full Moon Poya
Wednesday	October 24	Vap Full Moon Poya
Tuesday	November 06	Deepavali
Tuesday	November 20	Milad-un-Nabi
Thursday	November 22	Ill Full Moon Poya
Saturday	December 22	Unduvap Full Moon Poya
Tuesday	December 25	Christmas Day