Special Measures to Strengthen Tourism Sector: Deputy Minister of Tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe

25-Apr-2026

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Deputy Minister of Tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe stated that Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has recorded a significant decline compared to March last year due to the ongoing conflict situation in the Middle East.

Speaking to the media, he noted that disruptions in air connectivity—particularly flights from Europe via Middle Eastern transit hubs—have severely impacted tourist arrivals during the peak season.

As a result, tourist arrivals in March 2026 dropped by 20 percent compared to 2025. During the first 19 days of April, only around 88,000 tourists arrived in the country, reflecting a sharp decline.

To address this, new aviation arrangements are being implemented. Turkish Airlines has increased its services, while airlines such as Jetstar have expanded flights to destinations including Australia and Ahmedabad. IndiGo is also expected to add six additional weekly flights.

To compensate for the temporary setback in European markets, Sri Lanka has launched targeted promotional campaigns focusing on Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. The Deputy Minister assured that all necessary measures are being taken to sustain and strengthen the tourism sector.