News & market updates

Sri Lanka has been ranked the world's fastest-growing wellness travel destination for 2026, recording a 100% increase in global demand according to BookRetreats.com's 'State of Retreats 2026' report. The survey also found 49% of US travellers plan to spend on wellness retreats in 2026.

John Keells Holdings chair Krishan Balendra was re-elected Chairperson of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce at its 187th AGM for 2026/27. The Chamber's board includes executives from Hayleys, Renuka Hotels and Dialog Axiata, and said 18 of its Budget 2026 recommendations on trade, digitalisation and investment were adopted.

Ceylon Chamber re‑elected Krishan Balendra (Chairperson of John Keells Holdings PLC) and named its 2026/27 board, which includes executives from Hayleys PLC, Dialog Axiata PLC and Renuka Hotels PLC.

Vietjet has opened bookings for its first direct Colombo–Ho Chi Minh City service, launching 18 August 2026 with three weekly round-trips and launch Eco fares from USD90 one-way. Deluxe and SkyBoss tickets get a 20% base-fare discount and flights operate Tue/Thu/Sat.

Melco Resorts & Entertainment brings City of Dreams Sri Lanka to Colombo, marking the company’s South Asia debut and adding a luxury integrated resort to its global portfolio.

The Thailand–Sri Lanka Business Forum centred on implementing the Sri Lanka–Thailand FTA to boost trade and investment after bilateral trade reached USD 649m in 2025 (+48% vs 2024). Delegates highlighted opportunities in logistics, manufacturing, food and agriculture, IT, healthcare and tourism and urged streamlined customs and predictable FTA implementation.

Chef Shantha Peiris of Nyne LUXE outlines the restaurant's sustainable gastronomy approach, focusing on local sourcing, waste minimisation, plant-forward dishes and in-house preparations to reduce environmental and social impact while maintaining luxury dining.

Marriott International and CG Hospitality Global signed an agreement to open three hotels — The Ritz-Carlton Kathmandu, The Westin Kathmandu and JW Marriott Siliguri — adding nearly 450 keys to Marriott's portfolio, with openings anticipated in 2031.

Milinda Moragoda hosted a luncheon on 23 June 2026 for U.S. Assistant Secretary of State S. Paul Kapur to discuss maritime security, regional connectivity, trade and cooperation with business leaders and diplomats.

Central Bank updated tourism earnings after the SLTDA revised its methodology: May 2026 earnings were USD 155.7m, bringing the Jan–May cumulative to USD 1,360m; January–April figures were revised upward to Jan USD 413.8m, Feb USD 381.4m, Mar USD 244.8m, Apr USD 164.3m.

A Cabinet-appointed committee reviewing Sri Lanka’s Free Trade Agreements is expected to submit recommendations in July, and an India Trade Desk has been launched to help Sri Lankan firms tap the Indian market. Bilateral trade reached about $5.8bn in 2025, with Sri Lankan exports to India over $1bn and imports $4.3bn.

Headline NCPI inflation rose to 5.4% YoY in May from 4.7% in April, the third consecutive monthly increase. Rises were driven by higher petrol and LP gas prices and increases in several food items (vegetables, fish, onions), while rice, eggs and sugar eased; core inflation edged to 4.5%.

Cabinet approved a 'Protecting Eastern Province Lands' committee and a police unit to tackle illegal land acquisitions, unauthorised coastal developments and land reclamation in the Eastern Province; it will reclaim unused Mahaweli lands and plan tourism with coastal safeguards.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower as the ASPI fell 0.22% (47.91 pts) to 22,208.58 with turnover Rs1.195bn. Galadari Hotels (GHLL) revised its Galadari Hotel Colombo refurbishment reopening to early Q4 2026; its shares were down 1.84% at Rs16.00.

The Thailand–Sri Lanka Business Forum highlighted opportunities from the new Sri Lanka–Thailand FTA, with bilateral trade at USD 649m in 2025 (up 48%) and commitments to boost supply chains, investment and trade across food processing, logistics, IT, healthcare, tourism and manufacturing.

Sri Lanka used the 10th China–South Asia Expo in Kunming to boost market access, with Yunnan authorities agreeing to provide a 2,000 sq m free warehouse in Kunming for Sri Lankan exporters to store and distribute goods via Chinese e-commerce. The pavilion highlighted tea, spices, coconut products, processed foods, handicrafts and tourism services amid rising participation and trade growth with China.

ITC Ratnadipa, Colombo is hosting 'Changes & Traditions', an exhibition by artist S. H. Sarath, open to the public from 26 June to 12 July 2026 at the hotel's WelcomGallery (10:00–20:00).

Sri Lanka ranked 49th in Travel And Tour World’s Top 50 Medical Tourism Destinations for 2026. The ranking highlights its integrated healthcare journeys combining advanced clinical services (cardiology, oncology, fertility) with Ayurveda and recovery hubs in Colombo, Kandy, Galle and Bentota.

FitsAir will launch thrice-weekly direct Ahmedabad–Colombo flights from 19 June 2026 (about 3h40m), partnered with City of Dreams Sri Lanka and Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, improving access for Gujarat travellers and expected to boost inbound tourism to Colombo.

Sri Lanka and Thailand plan to deepen trade and investment using the Sri Lanka–Thailand FTA and enhanced B2B engagement, targeting tourism, hospitality, food processing, agriculture, logistics and other sectors to boost bilateral ties and supply‑chain links.

Sri Lanka recorded a record 145,745 foreign tourist arrivals in May 2026, up 9.65% year-on-year. Despite the rise in arrivals, May tourism earnings fell to USD 155.7m (−5.11% YoY) while rising to Rs. 50.6bn (+3.05%) due to a stronger USD; YTD Jan–May earnings were USD 1,360m (−11.9% YoY).

Sri Lanka urged Belgian and Luxembourg investors to seize opportunities in infrastructure and green energy, pointing to planned PPP and investment protection reforms and competitively priced land. Officials highlighted Port City expansion, shipbuilding, marinas and agricultural processing as priority sectors for partnerships.

Emirates is offering complimentary stays at the JW Marriott Marquis for return tickets to or stopping over in Dubai (two nights for First/Business; one night for Premium Economy/Economy) for travel between 25 June–30 September. It also relaunches My Emirates Pass with 600+ offers and notes three daily Colombo–Dubai flights.

FitsAir began the only non-stop Colombo–Ahmedabad service on 19 June 2026, operating three times weekly. The new route is intended to boost connectivity between Sri Lanka and Gujarat, supporting tourism, trade and business travel.

Government aims to lift gem and jewellery exports from about $300m to around $1–1.2bn by boosting value‑addition and marketing and tackling smuggling. Plans include regulatory reforms, a proposed Gem and Jewellery Experience Centre and the Gem City Ratnapura Exhibition (31 Aug–2 Sep 2026) to attract international buyers.

Sri Lanka's Tourism Promotion Bureau participated in the Let’s Travel ITF 2026 in Moscow (10–14 June) and won the Let’s Travel First-Degree Laureate Award. The delegation held meetings on destination promotion and air connectivity and ran a busy pavilion engaging visitors and Russian tour operators, strengthening bilateral tourism ties.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry and EDB held a diplomatic briefing on 12 June to promote the rescheduled Sri Lanka Expo 2027, attended by about 100 diplomatic representatives. The Expo is set for 14–17 January 2027 at BMICH, Colombo, and organisers are seeking diplomatic support to attract buyers, investors and business delegations.