India has been the top source market for tourism into Sri Lanka in the first 6 months of 2023. As per tourist arrivals data released by Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, over 26,000 Indian tourists arrived in the island nation in the month of June as Sri Lanka’s tourism sector showed signs of improvement. 

Tourist arrivals from India numbered 1.16 lakhs at the end of June as the total tourist arrivals reached 6.24 lakhs. India remained as the leading source market in 2022 with 1.23 lakh tourist arrivals. Sri Lanka has been making efforts to promote tourism which had taken a hit after a series of incidents such as the 2019 Easter attacks, the Covid pandemic, and the lockdown. Further, Sri Lanka has identified 50 sites linked to Ramayana to promote tourism in the island from India.

Meanwhile, India and Sri Lanka have been working on promoting the use of local currency for trade settlements between the two countries. Earlier this year, in an event to promote rupee settlements, Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay had spoken on creating mechanisms by which Indian tourists can pay in Indian rupees, which will make Sri Lanka even more attractive as a tourist destination.