Travel to Sri Lanka remains fully unaffected for Bangladeshi tourists despite ongoing global conflicts and economic uncertainties, according to Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau. He made the remarks during a media networking session held at Le Méridien Dhaka on April 5 in an interview with The Bangladesh Monitor.
He said the Sri Lankan government has given special priority to the tourism sector to ensure uninterrupted services for visitors. He added that there is no energy crisis affecting hotels, transport, or tourism-related services, and confirmed that tourists are not facing any disruption. He also stated that there has been no increase in hotel or service charges.
However, he noted that the only cost increase for travelers is likely to be in airfares.
Echoing this view, Fawzan Fareid, Regional Manager for India, Bangladesh, and Nepal at SriLankan Airlines, said airlines have been forced to increase ticket prices due to rising global fuel costs. He explained that a fuel surcharge of around USD 15 each way has been added on the Dhaka–Colombo route due to fluctuations in fuel prices linked to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite the increase, he highlighted strong air connectivity between the two countries, noting that SriLankan Airlines operates daily flights while FitsAir operates four weekly services. He also said the airline provides additional support for passengers on arrival in Sri Lanka, including services tailored for halal food requirements and group travel.
The media networking session was aimed at strengthening tourism ties between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. During the event, Hewawasam stated that around 60,000 Bangladeshi tourists visited Sri Lanka last year, making Bangladesh the 10th largest source market. He added that 10,000 Bangladeshi tourists have already visited this year and expressed optimism that the number could reach 100,000 by year-end.
He further said Bangladesh has the potential to become one of Sri Lanka’s top five source markets and encouraged travelers to explore a wider range of tourism experiences, including adventure travel, water sports, hiking, and hill country tourism. He also highlighted Sri Lanka’s growing popularity for weddings, solo travel, and medical tourism.
Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dharmapala Weerakkody, who presided over the session, emphasized the importance of strengthening tourism cooperation between the two countries for future industry growth.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Rafeeuzzaman, President of the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh, welcomed the initiative but raised concerns over high airfares, which he said range between BDT 55,000 and BDT 75,000 and act as a barrier for many travelers. He also called for a review of the visa-on-arrival facility, noting that the current ETA system charges USD 20, whereas the previous system was free.
The event concluded with an interactive discussion between media representatives and tourism stakeholders on connectivity, travel facilitation, and future collaboration opportunities. An exclusive B2B roadshow and networking evening for tourism partners was also held on April 6 at the same venue, bringing together industry leaders, media professionals, and a Sri Lankan delegation.
