Sri Lanka Tourist Arrivals Hit Record High

2026-02-06 01:20:18

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The number of foreign tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka rose by 9.7% year-on-year to an all-time high of 277,327 in January 2026, surpassing previous winter-season records, including 253,169 arrivals in December 2018 and 258,928 in December 2025. The strong performance suggested the winter season peaked later and stronger than usual, as the month outperformed December 2025, defying the typical holiday-driven pattern. India remained the largest source market, contributing 52,061 tourists, up 20% year-on-year and accounting for 19% of total arrivals. The Russian Federation, despite remaining the second-largest source market with 29,540 arrivals, saw a contraction of 13.4% compared to a year ago. The UK rose to third place with 27,134 visitors, up 24.9%. Tourism authorities have set a 2026 target of 3 million visitors, and January’s figure already accounts for about 9.2% of that goal, offering a solid start to the year.

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