Labour Day in Sri Lanka – Things you need to know in a nutshell

An international holiday celebrated in nearly 80 countries in the world, Labour Day is celebrated in recognition of the labour movement; the day falls on May 1^st. The day is also known as May Day and International Worker’s Day.

The history of May Day goes back to May 1^st, 1890, when the first socialist international congress party proclaimed May 1^st of every year to be the Workers Day of International Unity and Solidarity. Labour Day was the result of the American movement that demanded an eight-hour workday. Almost every country celebrates May Day, but not necessarily on the first day of May. For instance, countries like Ireland and the United Kingdom celebrate the day on the first Monday of May. In some communist countries, the day is observed as the Day of International Solidarity of Workers. Interestingly, May Day was considered a pagan holiday in some regions of Europe. In Sri Lanka, May Day is a public holiday, and all government sector organisations and almost every private sector organisation let their workers celebrate the day. If you are travelling to Sri Lanka around this time of year, know that most places to visit in Kalutara and most other tourist destinations will be packed with locals, and hotels like Anantara Kalutara Resort will be completely occupied as well.