September 07, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has witnessed a notable influx of foreign income, with workers’ remittances and tourism revenue both showing marked improvements over the first eight months of 2025, according to the latest data from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
In August alone, remittances sent home by Sri Lankan workers abroad amounted to US$ 680.8 million, contributing to a cumulative total of US$ 5.116 billion from January to August.
This represents a year-on-year increase of 19.3 per cent, a significant rise from the US$ 4.28 billion recorded during the same period in 2024.
The steady growth in remittances is being attributed to enhanced global employment opportunities for Sri Lankans, particularly in the Middle East and East Asia, alongside improved formal banking channels that have made transferring funds more accessible and secure.
In parallel, the tourism sector—long considered a vital pillar of the national economy—has also shown encouraging signs of revival. Revenues generated from international visitors during the first eight months of the year reached US$ 2.03 billion, reflecting a 7.8 per cent increase over the US$ 1.88 billion recorded in the corresponding period last year.
