July 02, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka recorded a noticeable decline in tourist arrivals in June, with official figures showing that visitor numbers fell by almost 10 per cent compared with the same month last year.
Statistics released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) reveal that 124,551 international visitors entered the country during June 2026, down from 138,241 arrivals recorded in June 2025. The latest figures also mark a drop from May this year, when Sri Lanka welcomed 145,745 tourists.
India remained Sri Lanka’s largest source market, contributing 43,423 visitors during June and accounting for approximately 35 per cent of total arrivals for the month. The United Kingdom ranked second with 10,474 visitors, followed by Australia with 8,710, China with 8,224 and the United States with 3,806 arrivals.
Despite the slowdown in June, the tourism sector has continued to post positive results overall this year. The cumulative number of international visitors for 2026 has now reached 1,146,573, reflecting sustained demand from several of Sri Lanka’s key tourism markets.
India continues to dominate year-to-date arrivals with 293,683 visitors, while the United Kingdom has contributed 108,567 tourists. Russia and China have also remained among the country’s leading markets, recording 77,349 and 76,171 arrivals respectively.
Industry observers note that although seasonal travel patterns and global economic conditions may have contributed to the softer performance in June, Sri Lanka’s tourism industry remains on course for another year of steady growth, supported by strong regional demand and continued promotional efforts in overseas markets.