Sri Lanka Travel News

British Airways starts 3x weekly London Gatwick to Colombo Bandaranaike flights on 23 October 2026, using Boeing 777-200ER aircraft. Fares from £620 return.

September is prime season on Sri Lanka's east coast. Arugam Bay surf peaks, Trincomalee is calm for swimming, and Pasikuda suits families.

Sri Lanka has removed the visa fee for travellers from 40 countries as part of a push to boost tourism arrivals. Here's who qualifies and how to apply.

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau launches a Rs 1.5 billion campaign through April 2027, targeting Australia, UK, Germany, India, China and Russia.

As of 14 August 2026, Sri Lanka's ETA can no longer be obtained on arrival. All visitors must apply online at eta.gov.lk before travelling — no exceptions.

Sri Lanka surpassed 1.4 million tourist arrivals in 2026 as of 9 August, with India, the UK, and China leading. Book accommodation early for peak season.

Kandy Esala Perahera runs 18-28 August 2026 with 100+ elephants and nightly processions. Rooms along the route sell out weeks in advance.

SriLankan Airlines lifts Colombo-Melbourne to 10 flights per week from August 2026, adding Thursday departures for Australia travellers.

Sri Lanka has recorded over 81,000 dengue cases and 61 deaths in 2026. The IFRC has activated emergency funding. What travellers need to know.

Nanu Oya to Badulla via Ella reopened 20 June 2026. The Kandy to Nanu Oya stretch remains closed, so no direct Kandy to Ella service yet.

SriLankan Airlines suspended its Kuwait City route 20 to 26 July 2026 due to Middle East airspace restrictions. Services resumed 27 July 2026.

Jetstar starts direct Melbourne–Colombo flights on 25 August 2026, the first low-cost nonstop between Australia and Sri Lanka. Fares from A$299.

flydubai has suspended all flights to Colombo and TUI has cancelled Sri Lanka holidays to 18 July following UK FCDO concerns about political instability.

Sri Lanka is seeing record dengue infections this year, while fuel quotas for private vehicles remain in force. Here's what travellers need to know.

The Vel Festival brings one of Colombo's most spectacular street processions to life each July. Here's what travelers need to know for 2026.

28 flights cancelled at Colombo BIA on 8 July as Middle East airspace closures hit SriLankan Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Fly Dubai.

Kandy Esala Perahera runs 18–28 August 2026. The 10-night Buddhist festival at the Temple of the Tooth is already selling out accommodation.

BookRetreats ranks Sri Lanka the world's top wellness destination for 2026, citing a 100% year-on-year rise in Ayurveda and retreat bookings globally.

Sri Lanka recorded 1.15 million arrivals in the first half of 2026, a strong annual total, but June alone fell 9.9% year-on-year as key markets softened.

SriLankan Airlines increases Colombo–Melbourne to 10 weekly flights from 2 August 2026, adding Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday departures.

Peak wildlife season at Yala in June. Dry conditions concentrate leopards, elephants, and sloth bears around shrinking water sources.

Sri Lanka Railways restored the Nanu Oya–Badulla train on 20 June 2026 after cyclone damage closed the route. Hill country trains now run in full.

Beijing Capital Airlines will resume its direct Beijing–Colombo route from September 2026, restoring the only nonstop China–Sri Lanka air link.

Jetstar launches the first low-cost Melbourne–Colombo direct from 25 August 2026. One-way fares from AU$315 on three weekly flights.

Sri Lanka has recorded 36,168 dengue cases and 20 deaths in 2026. A national three-day mosquito control campaign began on 8 June.

Sri Lankan carrier FitsAir launches a three-times-weekly direct Ahmedabad–Colombo service on 19 June, cutting journey time from nine hours to three.

June opens Sri Lanka's east coast season. Arugam Bay surf breaks fire from now through September - here's what to expect and when to go.

Sri Lanka has abolished the ETA fee for 40 countries from 25 May 2026. UK, US, India, Germany and others now apply for free.

Heavy rain forced five flight diversions from Colombo's Bandaranaike Airport on 22 May 2026 as Sri Lanka's southwest monsoon season gets under way.

Sri Lanka's April 2026 arrivals dropped 22% to 135,643 and tourism earnings fell 39% to $157m, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka reported this week.

Sri Lanka southwest monsoon 2026: heavy rain on the west coast and highlands from May through September. East coast stays dry for reliable sun from June.

Sri Lanka's new Sustainable Tourism Association (SusTour) will be South Asia's first private body devoted entirely to responsible, eco-friendly travel.

Vietjet Air starts four weekly Colombo–Ho Chi Minh City flights from August 2026, the first direct service between Vietnam and Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's flagship travel fair, Sancharaka Udawa, opens 15–16 May 2026 at BMICH Colombo with 250+ exhibitors and 100+ international buyers.

Sri Lanka recorded 904,855 tourist arrivals by 6 May 2026, with India leading all markets. Here's what the milestone means for travellers this year.