Sri Lanka’s tourism has marked a historic achievement, with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) reporting 145,745 international visitors in May 2026, the highest number ever recorded for the month.
According to the latest data from the SLTDA, this reflects a 9.6% increase compared to May 2025, which saw 132,919 arrivals.
India remained the top source market, contributing 60,342 arrivals, followed by the United Kingdom (9,248), China (9,156), Germany (6,734), and Australia (6,414).
Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath hailed the achievement as a turning point for the industry, noting the sharp recovery from just 1,497 arrivals in May 2021.
“May 2026 is a historic milestone for Sri Lanka Tourism. From just 1,497 arrivals in 2021 to nearly 150,000 today – this is the result of stability, security, and smart policy. Thank you to all travellers who chose Paradise Island,” he said in a statement on social media.
Full SLTDA report: https://www.sltda.gov.lk/storage/common_media/MonthlyTouritsArrivalsReport-May-2026-Final-1.pdf (Newswire)
