Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has surpassed the one-million mark in international tourist arrivals before the end of May 2026, achieving the milestone for the second consecutive year, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Foreign Employment Vijitha Herath.
The Minister said the achievement follows the record-breaking performance of 2025 and reflects the continued resilience and growth of the sector despite recent global and regional challenges.
He noted that although tourist arrivals declined during March and April, the slowdown was largely attributed to disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict and wider uncertainties affecting global travel patterns.
Herath stated that crossing the one-million mark again before May highlights the strength of Sri Lanka’s tourism recovery and the sustained confidence of international visitors.
He also expressed appreciation to tourism industry stakeholders and foreign travellers for their continued support, saying their contribution has been vital in promoting Sri Lanka as a leading global destination.
India remained the country’s largest source market in 2026, contributing more than 200,000 arrivals so far, followed by key markets including the United Kingdom, Russia, China, and Germany.
Authorities say tourism continues to be one of Sri Lanka’s key foreign exchange earning sectors, with expectations of steady growth in the months ahead.
