June 22, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s tourism sector experienced a setback during the first five months of 2026, with earnings falling noticeably compared to the same period a year earlier, according to the latest figures released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
Data showed that tourism revenue generated between January and May reached US$ 1.36 billion, marking a decline from the US$ 1.54 billion recorded during the corresponding period in 2025. The decrease represents a year-on-year contraction of nearly 12 per cent, highlighting challenges faced by the industry despite ongoing efforts to attract more international visitors.
The downward trend was also reflected in May’s performance. Tourism earnings for the month stood at US$ 155.7 million, compared with US$ 164.1 million in May last year, indicating softer revenue generation from the sector.
In contrast, the country recorded a substantial increase in foreign remittance inflows, providing a welcome boost to the economy. Between January and May 2026, remittances sent home by Sri Lankans working overseas amounted to US$ 3.91 billion.
This was significantly higher than the US$ 3.10 billion received during the same period in 2025, underscoring the growing contribution of overseas workers to the nation’s foreign exchange reserves and overall economic stability.
