Tourist arrivals into Sri Lanka rise in May

Tourist arrivals into Sri Lanka rose 9.65% in May 2026 after a slump in the previous month, official data showed.

Total arrivals in May stood at 145,745 compared to 132,919 in the same time last year.

India, with 60,342, the UK, with 9,248 and China, with 9,156, emerged as the top sources of visitors to the island.

There were 9,288 visitors from Israel from 1 January to 31 May.

Sri Lanka set an ambitious target of 3 million arrivals for 2026, after missing the goal last year.

There were 1,022,022 visitors to the island in the first five months.

Analysts say the continuing conflict in West Asia could become a significant threat to Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, a fast-cash industry that brings in vital foreign exchange.

Transit hubs like Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi serve tourists from Europe and North America coming to the island nation.