Sri Lanka has welcomed more than 1.3 million international tourists so far in 2026, according to the latest figures released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).
The SLTDA reported that a total of 1,313,974 tourists arrived in the country between 1 January and 26 July 2026.
During the first 26 days of July alone, Sri Lanka received 167,401 visitors, pushing total arrivals for the year beyond the 1.3 million mark.
Earlier this year, tourist arrivals grew by 9.7% in January and 16.2% in February compared to the corresponding months in 2025. While arrivals declined in March, April and June, the sector recorded a recovery in May.
The latest figures indicate that Sri Lanka’s tourism industry continues to demonstrate resilience despite fluctuations in monthly visitor numbers.
India remained Sri Lanka’s largest source market in July, contributing 38,785 visitors. It also retained its position as the country’s top tourism market for the year, with a cumulative total of 332,468 arrivals.
