Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is confronting a troubling contradiction. While visitor arrivals continue to climb, foreign exchange earnings are moving in the opposite direction, exposing deeper structural weaknesses in the country’s tourism strategy.

The latest figures from the Central Bank reveal that tourism earnings declined by 5.13% year-on-year to US$155.7 million in May 2026 despite recording a 10% increase in arrivals to a historic monthly high of 145,745 visitors. The discrepancy has reignited debate over whether Sri Lanka is measuring tourism success through the wrong lens.

For years, policymakers have celebrated arrival statistics as the primary indicator of tourism performance. However, the latest data suggest that growing visitor numbers alone are not translating into stronger economic gains. The more critical measure visitor spending appears to be under pressure.

The situation is particularly concerning because tourism remains one of Sri Lanka’s most important sources of foreign exchange. Yet cumulative earnings during the first five months of 2026 fell by 12% compared to the same period last year, reaching only US$1.36 billion.

One explanation lies in revised revenue calculations introduced by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). Following a fresh expenditure survey, average daily tourist spending was reduced from US$172 to US$148. Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath has defended the methodology, arguing that the revised figures provide a more accurate representation of actual tourism earnings rather than indicating a decline in performance.

Nevertheless, industry stakeholders remain unconvinced. Many question whether arrival numbers accurately reflect the quality of tourism activity, particularly when earnings continue to stagnate despite increasing visitor flows.

The challenge facing Sri Lanka extends beyond statistics. The country is still recovering from a series of devastating shocks, including the Easter Sunday attacks in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the economic crisis of 2022. These events damaged the country’s international reputation and altered global travel patterns.

Another concern is the composition of tourist arrivals. Industry analysts argue that Sri Lanka has increasingly relied on budget-conscious travellers and short-stay visitors. While such arrivals boost headline numbers, they generate lower economic returns compared to high-spending tourists seeking premium experiences.

The figures from 2025 reinforce this concern. Tourism earnings increased by only 1.6% to US$3.22 billion despite arrivals growing by more than 15% to 2.36 million visitors. Such a gap highlights declining per-capita expenditure and raises questions about the effectiveness of current tourism development policies.

As the Government prepares to launch a global promotional campaign targeting three million visitors and US$4 billion in earnings for 2026, experts warn that volume-driven growth alone will not be enough. Success will depend on attracting higher-value travellers, extending average lengths of stay, and creating premium tourism products that encourage greater spending.

Without a shift from quantity to quality, Sri Lanka risks celebrating record arrival numbers while continuing to underperform where it matters most foreign exchange earnings.

The Government has approved a new circular governing admissions to Grade 1 in government schools from 2027, Cabinet Spokesman and Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced.

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing, Dr. Jayatissa said the revised guidelines were developed to ensure greater transparency, fairness and equal access to education, while reducing irregularities in the admission process.

The new circular incorporates recommendations from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, school principals and education authorities, in line with ongoing education reforms.

According to the Minister, the updated framework aims to strengthen accountability in school admissions, prevent malpractice and better protect children’s right to education.

The proposal was submitted by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya in her capacity as Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education.

Millions of people across Europe are experiencing extreme temperatures as an intense early-summer heatwave grips the continent, with France reporting 40 drowning deaths over the past week as residents sought relief from the heat.

France remains among the hardest-hit countries, with temperatures expected to stay unusually high both day and night. The country’s national weather service, Météo-France, has placed 54 departments under its highest-level red heatwave alert.

Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom are also facing severe heat conditions.

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the 40 drowning victims recorded since last Thursday were mainly young people.

Weather authorities described the heatwave as exceptionally intense for this time of year, though its duration remains uncertain. The event has drawn comparisons to the devastating August 2003 heatwave, which caused an estimated 15,000 deaths in France, particularly among elderly people living without access to air conditioning.

Scientists continue to link the increasing frequency and severity of heatwaves to human-induced climate change. According to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, Europe is the fastest-warming continent in the world, with temperatures rising at twice the global average rate since the 1980s.

The World Health Organization’s Europe office recently reported that more than 200,000 people across Europe have died from heat-related causes over the past four years, with most of those deaths considered preventable.

Climate experts warn that additional temperature records are likely to be broken in the coming years as global warming continues to intensify extreme weather events.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has underscored the importance of maintaining adequate strategic paddy reserves, particularly in preparation for potential adverse climatic conditions in the future.

The President made these remarks during a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat on plans for purchasing paddy during the current Yala cultivation season.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), President Dissanayake emphasized that national paddy reserves should not be viewed as part of routine operations but as a matter of strategic importance requiring special attention.

During the meeting, the President highlighted concerns that a significant portion of the paddy stocks purchased during last year’s Yala season has yet to be released to the market in sufficient quantities.

He sought details on measures already taken, as well as proposals under consideration, to clear existing stocks and make storage facilities available for new purchases.

President Dissanayake also instructed officials from the Ministry of Finance to allocate the necessary funds for the procurement of paddy during the ongoing Yala season.

The discussion further focused on the condition and capacity of district-level storage facilities. The President noted that similar challenges could be avoided in the future through the establishment of an accurate and comprehensive data system covering warehouse conditions and national buffer stock levels.

He directed relevant officials to take the necessary steps to develop such a system to improve planning, stock management, and food security.

Among those present at the meeting were Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation K.D. Lalkantha; Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe; Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne; Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation D.P. Wickramasinghe; Director General of the National Budget Department Jude Nilukshan; Chairman of the Paddy Marketing Board A.M.U. Pinnalanda; Director General of Agriculture W.A.R.T. Wickramarachchi; Director of the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute A.L. Sandhika; Commissioner General of the Department of Agrarian Development Dhammika Ranatunga; and several other government officials.

The Health Entomology Officers’ Association has warned of a significant increase in the Breteau Index, an internationally recognized indicator used to measure the density of dengue-carrying mosquito larvae.

The index primarily reflects the presence of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the main vector responsible for transmitting dengue fever.

According to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, the Breteau Index should remain below 3 to effectively control mosquito populations and minimize the risk of dengue outbreaks. However, health officials say recent surveillance data shows the index has risen well above recommended levels in several parts of the country.

President of the Health Entomology Officers’ Association, Najith Sumanasena, described the situation as a cause for concern.

“In many areas, the Breteau Index is currently above 20. This is not a good situation. The population of Aedes aegypti has increased compared to previous years,” he said.

The warning comes amid growing concerns over dengue transmission, with health authorities closely monitoring the situation and urging the public to take preventive action.

Officials have called on communities to eliminate stagnant water sources, regularly inspect homes and surroundings for potential mosquito breeding sites, and maintain clean environments to reduce the spread of dengue.

Public health authorities stress that community participation remains critical in preventing a further rise in mosquito populations and avoiding potential outbreaks in the coming months.

The official handover of ten TH-57 Sea Ranger multi-purpose helicopters donated by the United States Government to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) took place on Monday (23) at the Ratmalana Air Force Base under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), President Dissanayake was accorded a ceremonial welcome with Air Force honours upon his arrival at the base. He later inspected the helicopters and joined Air Force personnel for a group photograph.

During the ceremony, a bilateral agreement relating to the donation was signed by Air Force Commander Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe and Commander of the United States Pacific Air Forces, General Kevin Schneider.

The TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopters are expected to significantly enhance the Sri Lanka Air Force’s pilot training capabilities while expanding its operational capacity across a range of missions.

The PMD stated that the helicopters will support disaster relief operations, search and rescue missions, emergency public service activities, and humanitarian assistance efforts. They will also be used to train aircrew participating in United Nations peacekeeping operations, further strengthening Sri Lanka’s contribution to international peacekeeping missions.

The aircraft arrived in Sri Lanka on June 1 following a specialized cargo operation from the United States and were subsequently assembled by the Air Engineering Wing at the Ratmalana Air Force Base.

Before entering service, the helicopters will undergo final technical inspections and test flights to ensure compatibility with Sri Lanka’s airspace and climatic conditions.

Among those attending the ceremony were Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Gunathilake, members of the Air Force Board of Management, and other senior Air Force officers.

The United States delegation included Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur, US Chargé d’Affaires Jayne Howell, Senior Defence Official and Defence Attaché Lieutenant Colonel Matthew House, and several other senior officials from the US Embassy.

The donation reflects the continuing defence cooperation between Sri Lanka and the United States and is expected to enhance the operational readiness and training capacity of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

Several spells of showers will occur in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 2.00 p.m.

Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills, Northern, North-central, North-western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.