Sri Lanka aims to increase the average spending by foreign tourists by improving the quality of tourism experiences, Deputy Tourism Minister Ruwan Ranasinghe said.

Speaking at a media briefing, the Deputy Minister said the average tourist visiting Sri Lanka currently spends around US$148 per day, based on available survey data.

He noted that the figure is an estimate, as Sri Lanka does not have advanced systems to accurately track tourist expenditure, such as using credit card and banking data, unlike countries such as Australia.

Ranasinghe said the Government’s target is to increase the average spending per tourist by 2030, as this would generate greater economic benefits for the country.

He stressed that achieving this goal would require improving Sri Lanka’s tourism product and offering higher-quality visitor experiences.

“A tourist spends more when the experience is of higher quality. Increasing spending will not happen automatically. We need proper planning, create more activities for visitors and attract more tourists to achieve our revenue targets,” he said.

Sri Lanka’s Consumer Affairs Authority has introduced mandatory labeling requirements for all covered categories of soap, requiring businesses to disclose the product name and its Total Fatty Matter, or TFM, percentage on the packaging.

The requirements are contained in Direction No. 100, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2496/39 dated July 10, 2026. The direction, issued under Section 10(1)(a) of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act, No. 9 of 2003, will take effect on July 9, 2027.

The measure follows the introduction of numerous soap brands into the domestic market and concerns that some of these brands do not disclose their ingredients or the correct TFM content. While several long-established brands already provide the relevant information, concerns have been raised that some products do not display all prescribed details in the proper manner or disclose all ingredients.

Under this direction, importers, manufacturers, store owners, distributors and traders will not be permitted to import, manufacture, store, distribute, sell, display or offer the covered products for sale unless the required information is printed on the package or label.

The gazette says, “Name of the product as specified in the schedule shall be printed in bold type in all three languages of Sinhala, Tamil and English or, in two of those three languages on the main panel and the other language on any panel.”

It also says, “Total Fatty Matter (TFM) percentage by mass shall be printed on the product label clearly and conspicuously in a bold font size of not less than 2 millimeters (2mm) when packed.”

The gazette schedule lists the covered products as “Baby Soap,” “Toilet Soap,” “Shaving Soap,” “Carbolic Soap,” “Laundry Soap,” “Bathing Bar” and “Soft Soap.” Their respective standards are SLS 547, SLS 34, SLS 36, SLS 35, SLS 554, SLS 1220 and SLS 37. The direction was issued by order of the Consumer Affairs Authority and signed by S. M. D. Suriyakumara, Chairman (Acting).

 Sri Lanka has been recognised among the Top 50 Food Destinations Around the World for 2026, earning a place on an international ranking compiled by global travel publication Travel And Tour World (TTW).

The ranking, which identified the world’s leading culinary tourism destinations, evaluated countries based on a range of factors including food heritage, regional diversity, street food culture, fine dining, local ingredients, sustainability, beverage traditions, cultural authenticity, destination appeal, and overall traveller experience.

Sri Lanka was ranked 50th on the list, with TTW highlighting the island’s vibrant culinary landscape shaped by aromatic spices, tropical ingredients, and centuries of cultural influences.

In its assessment, TTW noted that Sri Lanka offers unforgettable dining experiences ranging from bustling street-food stalls to elegant coastal restaurants, making it an attractive destination for food-focused travellers.

The publication singled out several Sri Lankan destinations renowned for their unique culinary offerings. Colombo was recognised for its rice and curry, kottu roti, hoppers, and fresh seafood, while Galle was praised for its seafood dishes, traditional Sri Lankan curries, and colonial-era dining experiences.

Kandy was highlighted for authentic local cuisine, traditional sweets, and rice and curry, while Negombo gained recognition for its seafood curries, grilled fish, and lagoon-inspired specialities.

The ranking also featured Ella for its organic produce and hill-country dining experiences, Jaffna for its celebrated crab curry, dosas, and distinctive Tamil-influenced flavours, and Mirissa for its fresh seafood and beachfront dining culture.

In addition, Nuwara Eliya was recognised for its tea-inspired cuisine, pastries, and colonial culinary traditions, while Hikkaduwa and Trincomalee were praised for their seafood offerings and coastal dining experiences.

TTW described Sri Lanka as a destination where culinary traditions, local ingredients, and cultural diversity come together to create a distinctive food tourism experience that appeals to international travellers seeking authentic flavours.

The recognition places Sri Lanka alongside some of the world’s most celebrated culinary destinations and provides a further boost to the country’s tourism industry, which has increasingly been promoting food tourism as a key attraction for international visitors.