Sri Lanka recorded 124,551 tourist arrivals in June 2026, marking a 9.9% year‑on‑year decline compared to 138,241 visitors in June 2025. 

The drop comes after a 9.6% increase in May 2026, highlighting a reversal in monthly growth momentum.

According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), total arrivals for the first half of 2026 stand at 1,146,573 visitors.

India remained the largest source market in June, contributing 43,423 arrivals (35% share). 

The United Kingdom followed with 10,474 visitors (8%), while Australia (8,710), China (8,224), and the United States (3,806) each accounted for around 7–3% of the market. 

France, Germany, Bangladesh, Maldives, and Canada also featured among the key contributors. 

SLTDA report : https://www.sltda.gov.lk/storage/common_media/Weekly_Report_1st_to_30th_June_2026.pdf (Newswire)

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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)

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Sri Lanka recorded 183,979 tourist arrivals in March 2026, a sharp decline compared to the same month last year. 

The figure represents a 19.7 per cent drop from March 2025 and a 21.2 per cent decrease compared to March 2018, highlighting a slowdown after strong growth in the first two months of the year.

The decline is mainly attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has affected travel plans from key source markets.

According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), January 2026 recorded 277,327 arrivals, reflecting a 9.7 per cent increase from January 2025 and a 16 per cent rise compared to 2018. 

February 2026 saw 279,328 arrivals, marking a 16.2 per cent increase from February 2025 and an 18.5 per cent rise compared to 2018. 

These strong gains in the first two months highlight the contrast with March’s sharp decline.

India remained the leading source market in March, contributing 47,533 visitors, followed by the United Kingdom with 18,092, the Russian Federation with 15,685, China with 14,064, and Germany with 13,429. 

Australia, France, the United States, Japan, and Bangladesh rounded off the top ten source markets.

Despite the March decline, Sri Lanka’s tourism sector welcomed a total of 740,634 visitors in the first quarter of 2026.

Full report: https://www.sltda.gov.lk/storage/common_media/Weekly_Report_1st_to_31st_March_2026.pdf (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) reports that 151,693 tourists arrived in the country between 01st and 25th March 2026.

India emerged as the leading source market, contributing 39,424 visitors. The United Kingdom and the Russian Federation followed with 13,967 and 13,272 tourists, respectively. China ranked fourth with 12,166 arrivals, while Germany brought in 10,523 visitors.

Other notable contributors included Australia (8,522 arrivals), France (7,237 arrivals), the United States (4,638 arrivals), Japan (3,915 arrivals), and Bangladesh (3,432 arrivals).

Although March arrivals remain lower compared to the same month in 2018 and 2025, strong growth in January and February has pushed total arrivals for the first quarter of 2026 to 708,348.

Full report : https://www.sltda.gov.lk/storage/common_media/Weekly_Report_1st_to_25th_March_2026.pdf (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) states that 279,328 tourists arrived in the country in February 2026.

According to the SLTDA, this is a 16.2% increase compared to the number of arrivals in February last year.

The latest data released by the SLTDA shows 47,679 tourists arrived from India in February 2026, which is 17%.

In addition, 30,788 travellers from the United Kingdom, 23,099 from Russia, 22,566 from Germany, 20,180 from China, and 17,174 French nationals also arrived in Sri Lanka during February.

Accordingly, the number of tourist arrivals from January 1 to February 28, 2026, is 556,655.

Out of this, 99,740 tourists came from India, 50,233 from Russia, and 60,328 from the United Kingdom, the SLTDA said.

Full report : https://www.sltda.gov.lk/storage/common_media/Weekly_Report_1st_to_28th_February_2026.pdf (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding international visitors, announcing special measures to assist foreign nationals stranded by the ongoing military escalation and airspace closures in the Middle East.

Issuing a statement, the SLTDA stated that it remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of all international tourists currently visiting the island.

In light of the ongoing military escalation and airspace closures in the Middle East, the following measures have been implemented to support affected foreigners in Sri Lanka, with specific reference to nationals from Iran, Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries.

While the situation within Sri Lanka remains stable and safe, the following emergency protocols are activated:

1. VISA CONCESSIONS & EXTENSIONS: 

➢ To alleviate the concerns of travellers stranded by flight cancellations, the Government of Sri Lanka has authorized a free 14-day extension of visa validity for all tourists currently in the country. 

➢ A formal advisory is circulated immediately to all SLTDA Registered Tourism Service Providers (Accommodation Establishments, Travel Agents, Tourist Guides & Other Stakeholders) to prioritize the management of departing guests. Stakeholders are requested to: 

• Closely monitor airline updates regarding schedule changes or rerouting, 
• Provide flexible accommodation arrangements, including extended stays, late check-outs, and assistance with internal transfers, and 
• Adjust tour itineraries and transport schedules to align with revised flight timings etc. 

2. DEDICATED 24/7 EMERGENCY HOTLINES: 

• The 1912 Tourist Emergency Hotline is fully operational at the TIC (Tourist Information Centre) Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to provide linguistic and logistical assistance. Information received by TIC is gathered to provide the necessary assistance. 
• Airport & Aviation Services Hotline (1994): Available 24/7 for specific inquiries regarding flight status, airport facilities, and airline operations. 
• Sri Lankan Airlines Assistance: Passengers on the national carrier can contact 1979 (domestic) or +94 11 777 1979 (international) for rebooking and flight status

3. COORDINATION & MONITORING: 

• Data Collection: SLTDA has established a reporting mechanism through registered travel agents to identify and assist tourists scheduled to depart in the coming days. 
• Enhanced Security: We are working in close collaboration with the Tourist Police to maintain a visible and protective presence across all major tourism zones, ensuring a secure environment for all tourists in Sri Lanka. 

The measures have been implemented following the aftermath of the joint US-Israeli strike in Iran, which has escalated into attacks on surrounding Middle Eastern countries, including Qatar, the UAE, and Kuwait. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Tourism says its latest assessment shows that nearly one-third of tourism‑generated value in the accommodation, travel agents/tour operators, and wellness sectors does not remain in the domestic economy, due to external, internal, and invisible leakages.

Building on these findings, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), in collaboration with UN Tourism, convened the country’s first national, multi‑stakeholder validation workshop on economic leakages in the tourism sector on 28 January.

The workshop was based on the Rapid Assessment of economic leakages in key tourism segments. Officials emphasized that the figures should be seen not as a sign of weak impact, but as evidence of untapped potential. 

They highlight opportunities to strengthen domestic value retention, deepen local supply chains, and increase tourism’s contribution to incomes, employment, and fiscal revenues.

Moreover, the assessment covers only three segments of the tourism value chain. Other activities such as casinos, crafts and selected leisure services are likely to increase the overall volume of recoverable value, reinforcing the case for targeted, pragmatic action rather than concern about tourism’s role in the economy.

Tourism generated USD 3.17 billion in receipts in 2024, making it Sri Lanka’s third-largest source of foreign exchange. However, a significant share of this value does not remain in the domestic economy due to structural factors including offshore bookings (with OTA and international operator commissions being structural features of global tourism markets), high import dependence, fragmented local supply chains and high informality.

Key findings included:

• Informality across the three sectors accounts for an important share of economic leakages and related fiscal losses. However, precise quantification remains ongoing, given limited visibility on the full scale of unregistered operators, the extent of offshore-held revenues, and the fact that some market segments are more influenced by informal actors than others.
• Procurement-related leakages largely driven by imports of food, equipment, vehicles and utilities, consumables, furniture and textiles exceeded USD 800 million per year. These leakages are not solely supply-side issues: visitor behaviour also matters, as informed tourists are more likely to favour locally sourced products and services when origin and impacts are clearly communicated
• Leakage rates above 50% were observed primarily in the spa and wellness segment, driven largely by reliance on foreign therapists and imported packaging for retail products.
• By contrast, Ayurveda demonstrated a significantly stronger local economic impact, with deeper local supply chains, greater value retention, and more socially responsible practices, including gender-appropriate service provision.

From diagnosis to action

The workshop was designed as a pragmatic validation exercise focused on turning evidence into action and identifying realistic opportunities for progress:

• What could be implemented within existing institutional mandates
• What could be achieved in the short and medium term
• What actions required sequencing or broader coordination beyond sector-level authority

The objective was clear: not to debate whether leakages exist, but to collectively identify what can be done and how Sri Lanka can actively capture greater value from its tourism economy.

Three thematic panels addressed:

• Formalisation, digitalisation and incentives
• Strengthening local value chains and sourcing
• Sustainability, skills and destination positioning

With the support of industry associations, the outcomes of the workshop will feed directly into the preparation of a three-year implementation roadmap led by SLTDA. The roadmap will prioritise practical and achievable measures, including clearer and progressive formalisation pathways, realistic opportunities for import substitution, and strengthened consumer awareness through better use of digital tools.

A key focus will be on improving market credibility and access, where continued access to platforms, promotion and partnerships will increasingly depend on compliance with SLTDA registration and quality requirements, ahead of any enforcement or sanctioning measures. Improved inter-institutional coordination will support this transition.

A strategic shift for Sri Lanka’s tourism sector

As arrivals continue to recover, Sri Lanka’s challenge is no longer only to grow visitor numbers, but to ensure that more tourism value stays in the country and benefits Sri Lankans. This workshop marked a first concrete step toward that goal. (Newswire)

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The Attorney General informed the Court of Appeal today (10 Feb) that the letter issued by the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) granting approval for a tourism promotion project targeting the LGBTQ community will be withdrawn.

This announcement was made during the hearing of a writ petition filed seeking an order to nullify the decision.

The court subsequently fixed the petition for further consideration on March 4. (Newswire)

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A total of 158,787 tourist arrivals have been recorded during the first 18 days of 2026, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

Official SLTDA data shows 58,822 tourists arrived in Sri Lanka in the first week of January (01-07 Jan) and 62,592 tourists visited Sri Lanka from 08-14 January. 

The SLTDA reports 37,373 tourists had arrived in Sri Lanka between 15 and 18 January 2026. 

The highest number of tourist arrivals was from India (28,686), followed by Russia (16,956), the United Kingdom (15,189), Germany (10,837), and France (7,508), rounding up the top five source markets.

Tourist arrivals have also been reported from Australia, China, Poland, the USA, and theNetherlands during this period. 

Full report: https://www.sltda.gov.lk/storage/common_media/Weekly_Report_1st_to_18th_January_2026.pdf (Newswire)

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Over 94,000 tourist arrivals have been recorded within the first 11 days of January 2026, according to official data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

The SLTDA reports that a total of 94,041 tourists arrived in the country between 01-11 January 2026.

The highest tourist arrival was reported from India, amounting to 16,772, followed by Russia (10,9270), the United Kingdom (8,676), Germany (7,060), and Australia (4,591).

Full report : https://www.sltda.gov.lk/storage/common_media/Weekly_Report_1st_to_11th_January_2026.pdf (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Tourism has announced the reopening of several tourist attractions, reporting the country’s return to normalcy following Cyclone Ditwah.

Issuing a statement, Sri Lanka Tourism said utilities, transport networks, and essential services have largely been restored. 

Tourism attractions, accommodations, and supporting infrastructure are reopening, reaffirming Sri Lanka’s readiness to welcome international visitors.

Several wildlife sites, national parks, marine tourism, forest sites, and cultural sites have reopened, as of now. 

Tourism zones across the country, such as Negombo, Kalutara, Passikudah, Hikkaduwa, Bentota/Beruwala, Ella, and Arugam Bay, are experiencing favourable weather conditions. 

Ella is accessible via the Wellawaya route, while road networks connecting major cities and tourism zones are accessible, including key highways. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) states that a total of 269 tourists were affected due to the impact of Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka. 

Issuing a statement, the SLTDA said that the largest affected groups include 52 Indians and 40 Bulgarians.

The SLTDA said that the tourists are being located and confirmed safe. 

Reaffirming its commitment to ensuring visitor safety, the SLTDA added that with attractions open, services restored, and international arrivals resuming, Sri Lanka is ready to continue its journey towards recovery and growth. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) says the country has surpassed the two-million mark in foreign tourist arrivals for 2025.

According to the SLTDA, the milestone was reached with the arrival of a British couple on Monday, marking another positive step for the recovering tourism sector.

Sri Lanka has recorded steady growth in arrivals throughout the year, driven by improved flight connectivity, promotional campaigns, and increasing interest from key markets such as India, the UK, China, and Germany.

Tourism remains one of Sri Lanka’s top foreign-exchange earners, and officials expect arrivals to continue rising during the peak winter season. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka has reported 62,741 tourist arrivals in the first 12 days of October 2025, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

SLTDA data shows that 38,475 tourists arrived from 1st to 7th October and 24,266 tourists arrived from 8th to 12th October.

The highest number of tourists during this period was from India, amounting to 18,299, followed by 5,417 from China, 4,874 from the UK, 3,804 from Germany, and 2,954 from Australia. 

Tourist arrivals have also been reported from Russia, Bangladesh, France, the USA, and Spain.

Sri Lanka has recorded a total of 1,788,235 tourist arrivals so far this year. 

Full SLTDA report; https://www.sltda.gov.lk/storage/common_media/Weekly_Report_1st_to_12th_October_2025.pdf (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka recorded its highest-ever tourist arrivals for the month of September, surpassing the previous record set in the benchmark year of 2018.

According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), Sri Lanka welcomed a total of 158,971 tourists in September 2025, eclipsing 2018’s tourist arrivals of 149,087. 

SLTDA data further shows a  30.2 per cent increase compared to September 2024, during which 122,140 arrivals were recorded.

In September 2025, India remained the leading source market with 49,697 visitors (31.3%), followed by the United Kingdom (10,752), China (10,527), Germany (9,344) and Australia (9,105).

The SLTDA states that a total of 1,725,494 tourist arrivals have been recorded so far this year. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has joined GovPay, the government’s digital payment platform, as part of its initiative to modernize Sri Lanka’s tourism industry through digitalization.

This integration enables seamless, secure, and hassle-free online payments for a wide range of SLTDA services, offering greater convenience to stakeholders across the tourism ecosystem.

As one of the country’s most vital industries, tourism lies at the heart of Sri Lanka’s economic revival. By embracing GovPay, SLTDA aims to streamline processes, reduce administrative hurdles, and create a more transparent and efficient business environment, further supporting the Government’s vision of positioning Sri Lanka as a world-class tourist destination powered by digital innovation.

This integration allows tourism industry operators across the country to pay the Tourism Development Levy, including under-payments, defaults, and late payments, seamlessly through their banks’ internet and mobile banking portals or any FinTech app connected to GovPay. Currently, digital payment platforms of 14 banks, including Amana Bank, Bank of Ceylon, Cargills Bank, Commercial Bank, DFCC Bank, HNB, Nations Trust Bank, NDB Bank, National Savings Bank, Pan Asia Bank, People’s Bank, Sampath Bank, SDB Bank and Seylan Bank, along with 6 FinTech apps including CIM by LB Finance, FriMi, Genie, Helapay, iPay and WEBXPAY, support payments to SLTDA via GovPay.

Launched in February 2025 under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, GovPay is a collaborative effort by the Information Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) and LankaPay, which is aptly backed by the Ministry of Digital Economy. 

Aimed to revolutionize the way the citizens access public services, since its launch, the platform has facilitated payments for 1,773 government services, with a total transaction value exceeding Rs. 110 Mn. SLTDA is the 134th institution to have been onboarded GovPay.

Commenting on this milestone, Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman of SLTDA, said “The launch of GovPay is a testament to our commitment to digital transformation and improving public services. By integrating with this platform, we expect a significant boost in efficiency across tourism-related transactions, making Sri Lanka an even more attractive destination for investors and visitors alike.”

The initiative also aligns with the Government’s broader vision of creating a digitally inclusive society. 

Addressing the gathering, Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy, said, “I would like to congratulate the Chairman and Team of SLTDA, as they take this bold step towards cashless operations by connecting to the GovPay platform. GovPay is a pivotal Digital Infrastructure, based on which Government Institutions will transform their transaction Interface with citizens and businesses. It is truly rewarding for the teams at LankaPay and ICTA to receive the enthusiastic support and commitment of institutions such as the SLTDA in growing the impact and reach of this pan-government platform”.

Harsha Purasinghe, Board Director of ICTA, further elaborated, “With TDL payments and license renewals now powered by GovPay, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority is embracing digital payments in a way that delivers real value to the industry. This transformation not only saves time and effort for tourism institutions but also ensures a smoother, more reliable service experience for all stakeholders.”

As the operator of the national payment network and a key partner of GovPay, LankaPay operates the GovPay platform, ensuring the security and reliability of all transactions made via GovPay. 

Speaking of this collaboration, Channa de Silva, CEO of LankaPay, said, “Our role in GovPay underscores our commitment to fostering a cashless economy and promoting financial inclusion. With state-of-the-art security measures in place, we guarantee that all payments are processed securely and efficiently, offering unparalleled convenience, which is paramount to wider adoption of GovPay by both citizens and institutions.”

The initial rollout with SLTDA will focus on services linked to the Tourism Development Levy, with a phased expansion planned to include other payments. This collaborative effort among SLTDA, ICTA, and LankaPay demonstrates how public and private sector partnerships can deliver tangible benefits, advancing Sri Lanka’s digital economy while strengthening its tourism sector. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka welcomed 198,235 tourists in August 2025, marking a 20.4 per cent increase compared to the same month last year, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

India remained the largest source market, contributing 46,473 visitors and accounting for 23.4 per cent of total arrivals. The United Kingdom followed with 19,764 tourists (10 per cent), while Germany (12,500), China (12,294), and Italy (12,247) completed the top five markets.

Other key contributors included France (10,495), Spain (8,843), Australia (7,833), the Netherlands (6,082), and Japan (5,127). Collectively, these top ten markets made up more than 70 per cent of arrivals in August.

From January to August 2025, Sri Lanka recorded a total of 1,566,523 tourist arrivals. India led the way with 325,595 visitors during the first eight months, followed by the United Kingdom (151,141) and the Russian Federation (118,916).

Tourism authorities noted steady year-on-year growth throughout 2025, with arrivals in August 2018 and 2024 standing at 200,359 and 164,609, respectively. This highlights a strong recovery trajectory for the sector despite global economic and travel challenges. (Newswire)

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Over 1.3 million tourist arrivals have been recorded in Sri Lanka so far this year, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

The SLTDA says a total of 1,341,953 tourists have visited Sri Lanka from January 1st to July 27th. 

The majority of these visitors were Indian nationals, numbering 274,919. 

In addition, tourists from countries including the United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, China, France, Australia, and the Netherlands have also arrived in significant numbers.

According to SLTDA data, 173,909 tourists visited the country within the 27 days of July. 

Furthermore, the highest number of tourists during that month was recorded on July 26th, totalling 7,579 arrivals. (Newswire)

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Tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka have passed the 01 million mark as of 25 May 2025, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) reported. 

According to the SLTDA,  a total of 1,006,097 tourist arrivals have been reported from 01 January to 25 May.

The SLTDA further said that a total of 109,213 tourist arrivals have been recorded from 01- 25 May 2025.

During this period, the highest number of tourist arrivals was reported from India, which was 39,070 tourists.

The SLTDA further said 7,661 tourists arrived from the United Kingdom, 7,139 from China, 6,143 from Germany, 5,637 from Bangladesh, 4,917 from Australia, 4,660 from France, 2,959 from the USA, 2,950 from Russia, and 2,783 from Canada in May this year. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka officially launched the Marine Tourism Roadmap in Colombo recently, an initiative led by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under its technical assistance program TA9881 SRI: Supporting Tourism Resilience.

The initiative, which marked a major milestone in Sri Lanka’s tourism development efforts, lays the groundwork for a new chapter in tourism and the nation’s blue economy.

The Marine Tourism Roadmap was developed through an extensive process of data collection, stakeholder consultations and site visits conducted by the ADB-appointed international consultant together with officials of the SLTDA. The final validation of the Roadmap was done by the Marine Tourism Steering Committee, which included representatives from key marine-related public and private sector institutions. International expertise was provided by Ms. Aleksandra Dragozet (CEO & Founder – Sea Going Green), ADB’s appointed marine tourism consultant, whose guidance ensured the strategy aligned with global best practices for sustainable tourism. The SLTDA officials, Dr. Prasad Jayasuriya, Director-Tourism Planning, Development & Investments and Mr. S Dadeepan, Assistant Director-Tourism Planning & Development, coordinated all meetings, site visits and activities with relevant stakeholders and the Steering Committee.

The Marine Tourism Roadmap emphasizes a balanced approach between conservation and economic development, promoting eco-friendly activities such as diving, snorkelling, shipwreck diving and marine wildlife watching. These activities are designed to support local livelihoods while safeguarding Sri Lanka’s rich marine biodiversity, particularly coral reefs, marine mammals, and fragile coastal habitats that face increasing environmental pressure. The strategy outlines two categories of coastal destinations: areas covering Kalpitiya through Galle to Trincomalee, which possess established marine tourism industries; and areas covering Mannar, Jaffna and the North-Eastern coastal belt, which are recognized for their emerging tourism potential. 

Notably, Sri Lanka’s ocean territory is nearly seven times larger than its landmass, highlighting the vast, untapped opportunities for marine-based tourism. The roadmap presents both short-term and long-term implementation strategies, aiming to develop sustainable marine tourism infrastructure, enhance visitor experiences, and ensure the protection and resilience of marine ecosystems in the years ahead.

The roadmap itself was the result of collaboration among stakeholders covering coastal areas of Negombo, Kalpitiya, Mannar, Jaffna, Mullativu, Trincomalee and Galle and also the Steering committee members representing 18 key marine-related public and private sector institutions, including the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Tourism and the SLTDA. This unified approach ensured that the document reflects the diverse perspectives of stakeholders directly involved in marine and coastal tourism development.

The launch ceremony on 10 April was graced by Hon. Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe – Deputy Minister of Tourism, as the Chief Guest. The event also saw the participation of Mr. Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman of SLTDA, Mr. Takafumi Kadono, Country Director of ADB’s Sri Lanka Resident Mission, Mr. S. L. Naseer, Chairman of the Marine Tourism Steering Committee & Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Dr. Prasad Jayasuriya, Director – Tourism Planning, Development & Investments of SLTDA, along with several other steering committee members and representatives of the ADB.

In his address, Hon. Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe emphasized the critical importance of marine tourism in strengthening the national tourism strategy and assured full support of the government to implement the roadmap. He noted that sustainable marine tourism offers long-term opportunities for job creation, environmental protection, and community-based development.

SLTDA’s Chairman, Mr. Buddhika Hewawasam, underscored the importance of collective action in achieving the goals and objectives of the Marine Tourism Roadmap. He further noted that success will depend on effective coordination between the government, private sector, local communities, and environmental agencies.

ADB Country Director Mr. Takafumi Kadono highlighted the ADB’s continued commitment to supporting marine tourism in Sri Lanka. He noted that the roadmap serves as a model of strategic planning and confirmed ADB’s interest in supporting a pilot project in Passikudah to catalyze future developments in marine tourism.

This launch event—though simple in form—marked a vital moment in Sri Lanka’s journey towards more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient tourism development. With the Marine Tourism Roadmap now in place, Sri Lanka is poised to transform its coastal belt into a world-class marine tourism destination that balances economic opportunity with environmental stewardship.

By implementing these actionable recommendations and fostering collaboration across sectors, Sri Lanka’s marine tourism sector is set to become a key driver of the country’s tourism growth, job creation, and ecological preservation in the years to come. (Newswire)

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