The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) successfully conducted a series of Sri Lanka Tourism Awareness Sessions in New Delhi (7 January), Mumbai (8 January), and Chennai (9 January) to reaffirm Sri Lanka’s readiness to welcome visitors and strengthen tourism ties with the Indian travel trade and media.
The New Delhi session featured prominent representatives including Her Excellency Mahishini Colonne, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India; Mr. Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman of SLTPB; Ms. Shirani Herath, Assistant Director of SLTPB; Mr. Nalin Jayasundera, President of the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO); Mr. Anura Lokuhetty, Past President of The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL); and Mr. Fawzan Fareid, Regional Manager – India, Bangladesh & Nepal of SriLankan Airlines. The Mumbai session was attended by Ms. Priyanga Wickremasinghe, Consul General of Sri Lanka, and the Chennai session hosted H.E. Dr. Ganesanathan Geathiswaran, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Chennai.
The sessions highlighted Sri Lanka’s strong commitment to the Indian market, showcasing enhanced air connectivity, diverse tourism offerings, accommodation capacity, and opportunities for collaboration between Sri Lanka and the Indian travel trade. An interactive Q&A segment addressed trade and media queries, reinforcing confidence and strengthening partnerships to drive tourist arrivals from India.
Sri Lanka Tourism celebrated a record-breaking year in 2025, with total tourist arrivals reaching 2,362,521, of which India contributed a historic 531,511 arrivals, accounting for 22.3% of the total market share, cementing India’s position as Sri Lanka’s largest source market.
The sessions provided a platform to share updated information on destination readiness, travel facilitation, safety measures, and new tourism experiences, including leisure, culture, wellness, adventure, wildlife, MICE, and weddings. The Sri Lanka Tourism delegation emphasized seamless travel facilitation, improved air connectivity, and the country’s commitment to providing safe, high-quality, and memorable experiences for Indian travellers.
The three-city awareness programme is part of a broader outreach initiative by SLTPB to reinforce positive destination messaging, foster collaboration with Indian travel partners, and promote Sri Lanka as a preferred year-round destination offering rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, warm hospitality, and value-driven travel experiences.
