General

Muslims in Sri Lanka will start their Ramadan fasting at dawn on Thursday, February 19, 2026. This follows the sighting of the crescent moon for Ramadan, confirmed by the Colombo Grand Mosque on the evening of February 18. Reports from Hilaal subcommittees across the country indicated that the crescent was spotted. As a result, the ACJU Hilaal Division, the Colombo Grand Mosque, and the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs all agreed that Ramadan begins on February 19. During Ramadan, Muslims worldwide engage in a month of fasting and prayer to honor the revelation of the Quran to Prophet Mohammed on the night known as “Laylat Al Qadr.” Fasting in Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.