Quick answer
In Sri Lanka, the sun rises between roughly 5.50 and 6.30 am and sets between roughly 6.00 and 6.30 pm in every month, so day length stays between about 11.5 and 12.5 hours all year. Days are longest in June and shortest in December. Twilight is short, about 20 to 25 minutes, so it gets dark quickly after sunset. Sri Lanka uses UTC+5:30 all year, with no daylight saving.
Key takeaways
- Sunrise is roughly 5.50 to 6.30 am and sunset roughly 6.00 to 6.30 pm in every month.
- Day length varies only between about 11.5 and 12.5 hours through the year.
- Days are longest in June and shortest in December.
- Twilight is short, so it gets dark about 20 to 25 minutes after sunset.
- Sri Lanka uses UTC+5:30 all year, with no daylight saving.
Why the days barely change
Sri Lanka lies between about 6 and 10 degrees north of the equator. Near the equator, the sun's path through the sky changes little through the year, so the length of the day changes little too. In London, day length swings by more than eight hours between summer and winter; in Colombo, by about one hour.
Sri Lanka keeps one time zone, UTC+5:30, all year, without daylight saving. That means sunrise and sunset move only gradually through the year, without the jumps that come with clocks changing.
The north of the island has slightly more seasonal variation than the south, because it is a few degrees further from the equator. Jaffna's longest day is a few minutes longer than Galle's, and its shortest day a few minutes shorter, but the difference is small enough to ignore for planning.
Month by month
In December and January, sunrise is at about 6.15 to 6.30 am and sunset at about 6.00 to 6.15 pm, giving the shortest days, about 11.5 to 11.7 hours. In February and March, sunrise moves earlier, to about 6.10 to 6.25 am, and sunset later, to about 6.20 to 6.25 pm.
From April to August, sunrise is earliest, at about 5.50 to 6.05 am, and sunset latest, at about 6.15 to 6.30 pm, with the longest days in June, about 12.3 to 12.5 hours. In September to November, sunrise is about 5.50 to 6.00 am, and sunset moves earlier, to about 5.50 to 6.05 pm.
Times differ slightly across the island: the east coast sees the sun about 10 to 15 minutes earlier than the west coast, and Jaffna has slightly more seasonal variation than the south.
- →December and January: shortest days, about 11.5 to 11.7 hours.
- →June: longest days, about 12.3 to 12.5 hours.
- →East coast: sunrise about 10 to 15 minutes earlier than the west.
Short twilight
Near the equator, the sun sets almost vertically, so twilight is short. Usable light after sunset lasts only about 20 to 25 minutes, and it is fully dark by about 6.30 to 7.00 pm in every month. Visitors from northern countries, used to long summer evenings, are often surprised.
The same applies at dawn: the sky lightens about 20 to 25 minutes before sunrise, which is when climbs to viewpoints like Pidurangala, Little Adam's Peak and Adam's Peak need to reach the top.
- →Light before sunrise: about 20 to 25 minutes.
- →Dark after sunset: within about 25 minutes.
- →Fully dark: by about 6.30 to 7.00 pm.
Planning the day around the light
The early sunrise and sunset shape a Sri Lankan day. Climbs start before dawn, safaris begin at about 6 am when parks open and end at about 6 pm when they close, and sunset drinks start early. Long drives are best finished by about 6 pm, because roads are harder to drive in the dark.
Sunset positions change slightly. On the west coast, the sun sets over the sea all year, at Negombo, Galle Fort and Mirissa. On the east coast, sunrise over the sea is the event, at Trincomalee, Pasikudah and Arugam Bay.
- →Climbs: start before dawn.
- →Safaris: about 6 am to 6 pm.
- →Drives: finish by about 6 pm.
Light for photography
The best light is in the first and last hour of the day, when the sun is low. Because the sun climbs quickly near the equator, the golden hour is shorter than in northern countries, and the midday light is harsh and overhead. Mist in the hills and haze on the plains soften it in the early morning.
Lankan Stays & Trails plans climbs, safaris and photography around the sunrise and sunset times of each trip's dates and schedules drives to finish before dark.
Frequently asked questions
What time is sunrise in Sri Lanka?
Sunrise is between roughly 5.50 and 6.30 am in every month. It is earliest, about 5.50 to 6.05 am, from April to November and latest, about 6.15 to 6.30 am, in December and January. The east coast sees the sun about 10 to 15 minutes earlier than the west.
What time is sunset in Sri Lanka?
Sunset is between roughly 6.00 and 6.30 pm in most months, slightly earlier, about 5.50 to 6.05 pm, in October and November. It gets dark quickly, within about 20 to 25 minutes after sunset, because twilight near the equator is short.
How long are the days in Sri Lanka?
Day length varies only between about 11.5 and 12.5 hours through the year. Days are longest in June and shortest in December. The difference is about one hour, compared with more than eight hours in northern Europe.
Does Sri Lanka have daylight saving time?
No. Sri Lanka uses UTC+5:30 all year, with no daylight saving. Sunrise and sunset times move only gradually through the year, so they are easy to plan around. Visitors arriving from countries that change their clocks should check the time difference for their travel dates, because it can shift by an hour between seasons.
What time does it get dark in Sri Lanka?
It is fully dark by about 6.30 to 7.00 pm in every month, about 20 to 25 minutes after sunset. Twilight is short near the equator. Plan long drives and walks in parks to finish before about 6 pm.
When should I start a sunrise climb in Sri Lanka?
Plan to reach the top about 20 to 30 minutes before sunrise, when the sky starts to lighten. For Pidurangala or Little Adam's Peak, that usually means starting at about 5.00 to 5.30 am. Adam's Peak needs a start around 2 am from the base.
How does Lankan Stays & Trails plan around daylight?
Climbs, safaris and photography are planned around each trip's sunrise and sunset times, with pre-dawn starts for viewpoints and safaris from about 6 am. Long drives are scheduled to finish before dark, around 6 pm.
When do national parks open and close in Sri Lanka?
Most national parks, including Yala, Udawalawe, Wilpattu and Minneriya, open at about 6 am and close at about 6 pm, matching the daylight. Morning safaris start at the gate when it opens and afternoon drives end before dark. Horton Plains also opens at about 6 am for walkers.