There will be 22 public holidays next year, only three of which will fall on weekends.

The number of public holidays was approved in today’s cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Cabinet Secretary M Shafiul Alam briefed reporters later.

In 2018, seven of the public holidays coincided with public holidays, the cabinet secretary said. “Next year, there will be more public holidays than 2018.”

WHAT ARE PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Public holidays are when the government decides its offices and institutions will remain closed – outside of the two weekends on Friday and Saturday.

Such holidays include the holidays on the occasion of national days, mourning days, religious festivals and special holidays.

The calendar of public holidays are usually set on the preceding year.