Economy

Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals surpass 2 million in 2024

Published

2 years ago

December 26, 2024

Sri Lanka has welcomed its 2 millionth tourist who arrived from Bangkok this year, at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), after a five-year gap.

This marks the fourth time in history that annual tourist arrivals have surpassed 2 million, with previous instances occurring in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Deputy Minister of Tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe and Chairman of the Tourism Promotion Bureau Buddhika Hewawasam were at the airport to greet the milestone tourist.

A special ceremony was also organised by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau at the Silk Route Lounge of the BIA to mark the occasion.

According to statistics, 195,127 tourists have arrived in Sri Lanka in the first 26 days of December, with expectations to exceed 250,000 by December 31. February 2019 was the only month to have seen more than 250,000 tourist arrivals.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism said that the country’s tourism sector, which had been severely impacted by the 2019 Easter attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing economic crisis, is now experiencing rapid growth following the new government’s efforts.

The Ministry said that the government had addressed issues related to online visas for foreign tourists. In addition, steps have been taken to ensure the safety of tourists and resolve challenges faced by travel service providers.

According to the Ministry, a total of 515,192 tourists have visited Sri Lanka during the past three months.

Furthermore, the new government has introduced free visa facilities for citizens from 39 countries and is working towards its goal of attracting 3 million tourists by 2025.

Source – Daily Mirror

Economy

Vehicle imports generate Rs. 512.5 billion in tax revenue

Published

1 day ago

September 8, 2026

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Sri Lanka imported 316,000 vehicles during the first six months of 2026, generating Rs. 512.547 billion in tax revenue, according to officials from Sri Lanka Customs.

The figures were revealed during a review of the operations and revenue performance of Sri Lanka Customs by the Parliamentary Committee on Ways and Means.

Of the total tax revenue generated through vehicle imports, motor vehicles imports accounted for the largest share, contributing Rs. 386.726 billion.

Petrol-powered cars with engine capacities below 1,000cc emerged as the highest revenue-generating category, contributing Rs. 137.4 billion in Customs revenue. This represented 9.96% of total Customs revenue.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Customs recorded total revenue of Rs. 1.379 trillion by June 30, 2026, against an expected revenue of Rs. 1.061 trillion for the period, representing 130% of the targeted revenue.

Officials informed the committee that customs revenue had exceeded monthly targets throughout the year and had recorded higher revenue compared with the corresponding months of 2025.

Economy

Rs. 5.8bn World Bank-backed project to rehabilitate 296 irrigation tanks

Published

3 days ago

September 6, 2026

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Sri Lanka has begun rehabilitating 296 minor irrigation tanks under a World Bank-funded programme aimed at strengthening irrigation infrastructure and improving climate resilience.

More than Rs. 5.8 billion has been allocated for the work under the Integrated Rurban Development and Climate Resilience Project (IRDCRP), which is planned to continue until 2029.

Of the 296 tanks, 290 are located across 18 districts and were damaged by Cyclone Ditwah. About Rs. 5.58 billion has been allocated for their rehabilitation under the project’s Contingent Emergency Response Component.

The largest number of affected tanks is in Badulla, where 97 are being rehabilitated, followed by Ratnapura with 29, Mannar with 24 and Kurunegala with 19. Fifteen tanks each are being rehabilitated in Kandy and Vavuniya.

A further six minor irrigation tanks in Polonnaruwa, Hambantota and Jaffna are also being rehabilitated at a cost of about Rs. 256.2 million.

Economy

Sri Lanka exports to India grow 7.2% to USD 669mn in first seven months

Published

5 days ago

September 4, 2026

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Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports to India increased by 7.22% year-on-year during the first seven months of 2026, reaching US$669.36 million, according to data from the Export Development Board (EDB).

Exports to India during the January-July period rose from US$624.31 million recorded during the corresponding period of 2025.

In July alone, exports to India increased by 9.12% year-on-year to US$129.51 million, compared with US$118.69 million in July 2025.

The EDB said the cumulative growth in exports to India was mainly supported by increased shipments of boilers, piston engines, pumps and vacuum pumps, petroleum oils, animal feed and base metal products.

The growth also came amid a broader expansion in Sri Lanka’s exports to the South Asian region.

Exports to South Asian markets increased by 11.98% year-on-year to US$916.55 million during the January-July 2026 period.