Sri Lanka Travel News

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.

The Kandy Esala Perahera runs 18–28 August 2026. The 10-night Buddhist festival at the Sacred Tooth Relic temple is already seeing accommodation sell out.

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 services from 7 to 10 weekly flights starting 2 August 2026, adding Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday departures.

June is peak wildlife season at Yala National Park. The dry season concentrates 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 starts the first low-cost direct service between Melbourne and Colombo from 25 August 2026, with 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 monsoon season 2026: heavy rain on the west coast and highlands May–September. East coast stays dry. Which regions to visit and which to avoid.

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 will operate four weekly direct flights between Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City from August 2026, the first ever direct Vietnam–Sri Lanka route.

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.