India remained Sri Lanka’s largest source market, contributing 60,342 visitors during the month and accounting for 41% of total arrivals. The United Kingdom followed with 9,248 tourists, while China contributed 9,156 visitors. Germany recorded 6,734 arrivals, and China was also listed among the leading source markets with 6,414 visitors.
The latest figures represent an increase from May 2025, when Sri Lanka welcomed 132,919 tourists.
With the addition of May's arrivals, Sri Lanka's total tourist arrivals for 2026 have surpassed the one-million mark, reaching 1,022,022 visitors during the first five months of the year.
India continues to dominate year-to-date arrivals, with 250,260 visitors recorded so far in 2026. The United Kingdom ranks second with 98,093 tourists, followed by Russia with 76,073 arrivals, according to the SLTDA.
The strong performance highlights the resilience of Sri Lanka’s tourism sector amid global travel challenges and reinforces the country's position as a leading destination in the region.
