May 26, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is on course to achieve its highest-ever inflow of foreign worker remittances by the close of 2026, according to senior officials from the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE).
Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo, SLBFE Chairman Kosala Wickramasinghe revealed that earnings sent home by Sri Lankan workers abroad had already surpassed US$3 billion during the first four months of the year, reflecting a sharp rise compared to previous records.
Officials noted that remittance inflows for the same period last year stood at approximately US$2.4 billion, which had previously been regarded as a milestone figure. The latest growth is being viewed as a positive sign for the country’s foreign exchange reserves and broader economic recovery efforts.
Wickramasinghe attributed the increase to several contributing factors, including improved salary scales for migrant workers, stronger confidence in Sri Lanka’s overseas employment sector, and enhanced welfare and protection measures introduced for citizens working abroad. He also pointed to growing international demand for skilled and semi-skilled Sri Lankan workers in sectors such as construction, healthcare and domestic services.
Despite continuing instability and conflict in certain parts of the Middle East — a region that hosts a significant share of Sri Lankan migrant labour — remittance inflows have remained resilient. Authorities say this demonstrates the adaptability of overseas workers and the expanding diversification of employment opportunities across multiple countries.