Tourist arrivals reached 158,787 during the early part of 2026, according to the latest data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.
India Leads Source Markets
Data from the tourism authority shows that 28,686 visitors arrived from India, accounting for 18.0% of total arrivals so far this year.
Meanwhile, 16,956 tourists from Russia, 15,189 from the United Kingdom, 10,837 from Germany, and 7,508 from France also visited during the same period.
These markets continue to form the core of inbound tourism traffic.
Comparison With the Previous Year
In January 2025 alone, the country recorded 252,761 tourist arrivals, indicating a strong performance during the peak travel season of the previous year.
In addition, the tourism authority reported that 2,362,521 foreign nationals visited during the full year of 2025. This marked the highest annual tourist intake on record.
Focus on Sustaining Momentum
Officials continue to monitor arrival trends closely as the year progresses. Early data suggests stable demand from traditional markets, with scope for further growth supported by connectivity and seasonal travel patterns.
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Last modified: January 20, 2026
