In December 2001, Sri Lanka were hosting Zimbabwe but due to the full moon, a rest day was added in the schedule for the first Test

The first Sri Lanka-New Zealand Test next month will have a rest day, making it the first time in 16 years that a game in the format will have a scheduled break in the middle.

It will also be the first instance of a Test having a rest day in Sri Lanka since December 2001, when a full moon was the reason for the first game against Zimbabwe to have a break after day three. Though the reasons for the break in between the Test for the upcoming match are political, for a long time, the sports schedule in Sri Lanka was made depending on religious factors.

In December 2001, Sri Lanka were hosting Zimbabwe for a three-match Test series but the schedule was a matter of much discussion. The first Test, beginning on December 27 in Colombo, had a rest day on December 30, with the last two days being played on December 31 and January 1.

The reason was that December 30 was scheduled to be a full moon day, also called a Poya Day in Sri Lanka. The government had banned the playing of sports on all full moon days, which is what forced a rest day to be scheduled in between the Test.

What is the significance of a Poya Day?

 

The full moon is of immense religious significance in Sri Lanka, where Buddhism is the official religion. It is considered to be the phase when Buddha was said to have been born and also when he attained nirvana (the state of bliss). As a result, every month, a full moon day is observed as a national holiday in Sri Lanka.

While playing any sports on the Poya Days was banned, Sri Lanka also prohibited the selling of any alcohol or meat across the country on these days. The first clause has now been revoked, but the second continues to be in place.

In 2001, soon after the Sri Lanka Government Information Department decided to amend the Holidays Act to prohibit the playing of sports on Poya Days, it was found that one domestic game and the third Sri Lanka-West Indies Test in November were to be played in full moon days (November 30). While the domestic game, between Antonians SC and Chilaw Marians was rescheduled, it was not possible to reschedule the Test match due to the upcoming general elections in the country.

As a result, the match was played over five days despite it coinciding with the Poya Day, but the following month, against Zimbabwe, a rest day was added.

According to Sri Lanka's holiday calendar this year, their next holiday due to Poya Day will be on September 17. 

Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.