Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange earnings from the tourism sector dropped by 11.9% yearon-year during the first five months of 2026, according to the latest data released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
The country generated USD 1,360 million (USD 1.36 billion) from tourism between January and May 2026, a decline from the USD 1,543.1 million recorded during the same period in 2025.
For the month of May 2026 alone, tourism revenue slipped to USD 155.7 million, down from the USD 164.1 million brought in during May last year. Analysts note that while visitor numbers remain steady, a recent adjustment in average daily spending metrics and overall per-capita tourist expenditure has heavily influenced the reported revenue dip.
Strong Growth in Workers’ Remittances In contrast to the tourism sector, foreign remittances from Sri Lankans working abroad showed strong growth. For the period of January to May 2026, workers’ remittances reached USD 3,909.7 million (approx. USD 3.91 billion). This marks a significant increase compared to the USD 3,102.2 million recorded during the corresponding period in 2025, providing a vital cushion for the nation’s foreign exchange reserves.
