Archive · 18 Jan 2026
Sri Lanka Sees Record Indian Tourists in 2025
Sri Lanka had a lot of tourists in 2025, with over 2.3 million people visiting.
The biggest group was from India, with more than 531,000 Indian tourists.
This was a big increase from the year before, with over 114,000 more Indians visiting.
December was the busiest month, with almost 57,000 Indian tourists.
Sri Lanka is a popular place for people from Europe and the Asia Pacific to visit in the winter.
In the first 15 days of 2026, over 131,000 tourists visited Sri Lanka, with Indians making up the largest group again.
The most tourists arrived on January 15, 2026, with over 10,000 people coming that day.
Sri Lanka received 2.3 million tourists in 2025, with Indian tourists making up the largest group at 531,511.
Indian tourists accounted for over 23% of the monthly total on average, with December being the busiest month at 56,715 visitors.
The number of Indian visitors grew by over 114,000 compared to the previous year, showing a 15% year-on-year growth.
Sri Lanka's appeal as a 'winter sun' destination is attracting tourists from Europe and the Asia Pacific, who made up 92.7% of all arrivals.
In the first 15 days of 2026, 131,898 tourists visited Sri Lanka, with Indians accounting for the largest number at 23,786 visitors.
- Who
- Indian tourists, European and Asia Pacific travelers
- What
- Sri Lanka received 2.3 million tourists in 2025, with Indians making up the largest group
- When
- 2025, with December being the busiest month and 2026 for early data
- Where
- Sri Lanka
- Why
- Sri Lanka's appeal as a 'winter sun' destination and ease of travel for Indians
- Total tourists in 2025
- 2.3 million
- Indian tourists in 2025
- 531,511
- Growth in Indian tourists
- 114,000
- Year-on-year growth
- 15%
- Busiest month for Indian tourists
- December (56,715 visitors)
- Slowest month for Indian tourists
- February (35,000 visitors)
- UK tourists in 2025
- 21,277
- Europe's share of total arrivals
- 51.3%
- Asia Pacific's share of total arrivals
- 41.7%
- Tourists in first 15 days of 2026
- 131,898
- Highest single-day arrivals
- 10,483 (January 15, 2026)
- Indian arrivals in first 15 days of 2026
- 23,786
