06.02.202601:19:45UTC+00Sri Lanka Tourist Arrivals Hit Record High

In January 2026, Sri Lanka witnessed an impressive 9.7% increase in foreign tourist arrivals compared to the previous year, reaching a historic peak of 277,327 visitors. This figure eclipses previous records set during the winter season, including 253,169 arrivals in December 2018 and 258,928 in December 2025, indicating a later and more dynamic peak this season. Notably, these arrivals exceeded those of December 2025, challenging the expected holiday travel trends.

India remained the leading source market, with an impressive 52,061 tourists visiting Sri Lanka, marking a 20% increase from the previous year and making up 19% of the total arrivals. Meanwhile, the Russian Federation retained its position as the second-largest source market with 29,540 visitors, although this figure represents a 13.4% decline from the previous year. The United Kingdom surged to the third position, contributing 27,134 visitors, which signifies a robust 24.9% increase.

Tourism officials have set an ambitious target for 2026, aiming for 3 million visitors. The strong numbers from January already account for about 9.2% of this annual goal, providing a promising start to the year and demonstrating the sector's potential for ongoing growth.