Foreign remittance inflows tipped to hit record in 2026

Sri Lanka is expected to record the highest-ever foreign remittance income from migrant workers by the end of this year, according to Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) Chairman Kosala Wickramasinghe.

He made these remarks during a media briefing held at the SLBFE yesterday (25), based on remittance figures recorded during the first four months of 2026.

The highest annual foreign remittance inflow in Sri Lanka’s history was previously recorded in 2025.

However, the SLBFE noted that remittances received during the first four months of 2026 reached USD 3.06 billion, significantly surpassing the USD 2.4 billion earned during the same period in 2025.

Taking this positive trend into account, the Chairman expressed confidence that Sri Lanka could receive a historic total exceeding USD 9 billion in remittances by the end of the year.

He added that despite instability and conflict in the Middle East, several factors had contributed to the record growth in remittance inflows.

These include higher base salaries for migrant workers, improved international recognition of Sri Lanka’s foreign employment sector due to positive government measures, and the expansion of welfare facilities introduced for overseas workers, he said.