Indian tourists lead arrivals to Sri Lanka this year

India emerged as the largest source of tourists to Sri Lanka this year, accounting for nearly one in every four international visitor arrivals, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

A total of 1,436,926 tourists arrived in Sri Lanka as of August 13, with 358,608 Indian nationals making up the largest share.

The United Kingdom ranked second with 140,892 arrivals, followed by China with 94,890 and Germany with 83,965, the SLTDA noted.

Indians also account for the highest arrivals in Sri Lanka in August. Of the 93,511 tourists who visited Sri Lanka during the first 13 days of the month, 20,378 were Indian nationals, according to latest data.

The United States recorded the second-highest number of arrivals during the period, with 10,491 tourists, followed by France with 7,198 and China with 6,383.

Sri Lanka recorded 49,759 tourist arrivals during the first week of August, while another 43,752 tourists arrived during the first six days of the second week.