Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority

10/09/2026

ශ්‍රී ලංකා සංචාරක සංවර්ධන අධිකාරිය සහ ශ්‍රී ලංකා සංචාරක ප්‍රවර්ධන කාර්යාංශය යන ආයතනයන්හි නව නිලධාරීන් වෙත ස්ථිර පත්වීම් ලිපි පිරිනැමීමේ අවස්ථාවට 04 වන දින සමුද්‍ර පුහුණු හෝටල් ශ්‍රවණාගාරයේදී එක්වීය. දීර්ග කාලයක් තිස්සේ පුරප්පාඩුව පැවති මෙම තනතුරු සඳහා පත්වීම් ලබා දීම, විනිවිදභාවයෙන් යුත් නිල බඳවා ගැනීමේ ක්‍රියාවලියක් ඔස්සේ සිදු කරන ලදී.

අතීතයේදී රාජ්‍ය සංචාරක ආයතන තුළ පැවති දේශපාලන අතපෙවීම් සහ විධිමත් නොවන බඳවා ගැනීමේ පටිපාටීන් මුළුමනින්ම අවසන් කරමින් සහ රාජ්‍ය සේවයේ කාර්යක්ෂමතාව සහ විශ්වසනීයත්වය ආරක්ෂා කරගනිමින් , මෙම බඳවා ගැනීම් සිදු ඇත්තේ දේශපාලන හිතවත්කම් මත නොව සුදුසුකම් සහ කුසලතාවන් පදනම් කරගත් දක්ෂතාවය මත පමණි. සංචාරක ව්‍යාපාරය යනු අප රටට විදේශ විනිමය උපයා දෙන ප්‍රධානතම මාර්ගයක් වන බැවින්, විනිවිදභාවයෙන් යුත් ක්‍රියාවලියක් හරහා දක්ෂයින් තේරී පත්වීම වැදගත් ජයග්‍රහණයකි. ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ සංචාරක කර්මාන්තය නව මගකට යොමු කිරීමේදී මෙම නව නිලධාරීන්ගේ කැපවීම සහ දායකත්වය අපේක්ෂා කෙරේ.

මෙම අවස්ථාව සඳහා ශ්‍රී ලංකා සංචාරක සංවර්ධන අධිකාරියේ සභාපති සුරංජිත් වැවිට මහතා, අධ්‍යක්ෂ ජනරාල් මල්කාන්ති රාජපක්ෂ මහත්මිය, නියෝජ්‍ය අධ්‍යක්ෂ ජනරාල් ක්‍රිෂාන්ත බෝපගේ මහතා, ශ්‍රී ලංකා සංචාරක ප්‍රවර්ධන කාර්යාංශයේ කළමනාකාර අධ්‍යක්ෂ සංජය නිරෝෂණ මහතා ඇතුළු එම ආයතන ද්විත්වයේම ජ්‍යෙෂ්ඨ නිලධාරීහු පිරිසක් එක්ව සිටියහ.

On September 04th at the Samudra Training Hotel auditorium, I had the privilege of presenting permanent appointment letters to new officers of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau. These appointments, filling long‑standing vacancies, were made through a formal and transparent recruitment process.”

“We have ended the political interference and irregular recruitment practices that once plagued state tourism institutions. Efficiency and integrity in the public service must be safeguarded, and recruitment must be based strictly on merit—qualifications and skills—rather than political affiliations. Tourism is one of our country’s primary engines of foreign exchange, and selecting talented individuals through a transparent process is a significant achievement. I look forward to the dedication of these new officers as we guide Sri Lanka’s tourism industry on a new trajectory.”

“The event was attended by Chairman of SLTDA, Mr. Suranjith Wewita; Director General, Ms. Malkanthi Rajapakshe; Deputy Director General, Mr. Krishantha Bopage; Managing Director of SLTPB, Mr. Sanjaya Niroshana; together with senior officials from both institutions.

20/08/2026

INVEST in TOURISM SRI LANKA

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

19/08/2026

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗿𝗶 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗮 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism announces the appointment of Mr. Suranjith Wevita as the new Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

Mr. Wevita officially received his letter of appointment today (18) from the Hon. Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism.

Mr. Wevita is a distinguished professional with extensive leadership experience across both the banking and tourism sectors. He has made significant contributions at the national level in financial management, trade union leadership, and tourism entrepreneurship. Bringing a wealth of long-standing managerial and leadership experience from Seylan Bank, he has demonstrated exceptional success in corporate crisis management and deposit mobilization.

Furthermore, actively contributing to the advancement of the tourism sector, he serves as a member of the Presidential Task Force for Tourism Development and functions as the Secretary of the All Ceylon Tourism Service Providers Association.

The Ministry is confident that Mr. Wevita's leadership capabilities, financial expertise, and strong commitment to tourism development will guide the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority toward new achievements. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism warmly welcomes him to his new role and wishes him every success in his future endeavors.

Additionally, Mr. Buddhika Hewawasam will continue to serve as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB).

19/08/2026

✨🐘 𝗞𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘆 𝗘𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗮 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 – 𝗔 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵, 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 🇱🇰

This August, the historic city of Kandy will come alive with the rhythms, colours and traditions of the Kandy Esala Perahera.
Feel the beat of traditional drums, witness the graceful movements of dancers and experience magnificent ceremonial processions making their way through Kandy’s illuminated streets. Rooted in centuries of history, this treasured festival offers a memorable glimpse into Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage and vibrant living culture. 🥁🔥☸️

📅 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀: 18–28 August 2026
🌟 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗶 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: 27 August 2026
☀️ 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: 28 August 2026
📍 𝗞𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘆, 𝗦𝗿𝗶 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗮
Save the dates and join us for one of Sri Lanka’s most treasured cultural celebrations.

𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗿𝗶 𝗗𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘄𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹𝘀:
🌐 Website: https://sridaladamaligawa.lk
🔵 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sridaladamaligawa
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sridaladamaligawa
Multilanguage Perahera LIVE Stream: https://perahera.live

✨ 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲!
🇱🇰 🌴 🐘
✨ 📍 🎭
☸️ 🥁 🇱🇰 🇱🇰 See less

04/08/2026

Attention Visitors in Sri Lanka

27/07/2026

Deadline Extended!

The application deadline for the SLTDA Tourism Start-Up Competition 2026 has been extended to 13th August 2026.

Organized in conjunction with World Tourism Day 2026, the competition aims to encourage AI-driven innovations that enhance visitor experiences, promote sustainable tourism, and accelerate the digital transformation of Sri Lanka's tourism industry.

New Application Deadline: 13th August 2026
Apply now: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QDKGerJY3Nx6TwJ9kd1w3tcWWGQTM_Q9/view?usp=sharing

13/07/2026

Sri Lanka Tourism Showcases Progress Across Key Sectors – July 2026

Sri Lanka Tourism continues to strengthen its global presence through a series of impactful initiatives and achievements across wellness, marine, cultural, educational, and business tourism. The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) has recently organized several high-profile events, including the Luxury Wellness Tourism Programme with an Indian creative team, the Marine and Diving Familiarization Tour in the Eastern Province, multilingual live narration of the Kandy Esala Perahera, destination wedding promotions in India, Dubai, and the UK, and preparations for the 60th Anniversary of the International Sangha Conference. These activities highlight Sri Lanka’s diverse offerings and reinforce its position as a premier destination for wellness, culture, adventure, and spiritual tourism. As a special highlight, Sri Lanka has also been recognized internationally among the world’s best travel destinations, with multiple endorsements underscoring the island’s global appeal.

Tourist arrivals have shown steady performance in recent months. In April 2026, Sri Lanka welcomed 135,643 visitors, followed by 145,745 in May and 124,551 in June. During the first week of July, 34,721 arrivals were recorded, reflecting continued interest from international travelers despite global challenges. These figures demonstrate resilience and the sector’s contribution as one of the country’s leading foreign exchange earners.

The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) has played a pivotal role in advancing MICE tourism, securing major international conferences such as the Asia Pacific Congress of Paediatrics and the World Congress on Snakes, alongside corporate incentive groups from India and beyond. Training and familiarization programmes have been conducted to build industry capacity, while upcoming events such as the MICE Expo and Professional Development Program will further strengthen Sri Lanka’s standing as a regional hub for business tourism.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM) continues to expand its role as the nation’s premier government-approved training institution for hospitality and tourism. With campuses across the island, SLITHM provides a wide range of academic and vocational programmes, producing over 6,000 trained professionals annually. The institute has also introduced new degree pathways and collaborated with national and international organizations to enhance skills development, ensuring a steady supply of qualified human resources for the tourism industry.

Together, these initiatives reflect Sri Lanka Tourism’s integrated approach to growth — combining international promotion, cultural heritage, sustainable development, professional training, and business tourism. With global endorsements affirming its appeal and strong institutional support driving progress, Sri Lanka is poised to further elevate its profile as one of the world’s most attractive travel destinations.

10/07/2026

Tourism Start-Up Competition 2026 - AI-Driven Innovation for the Future of Tourism

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) proudly presents the Tourism Start-Up Competition 2026 under the theme "AI-Driven Innovation for the Future of Tourism." This competition invites tourism start-ups, innovators, entrepreneurs, and student teams to showcase AI-powered solutions that can transform Sri Lanka's tourism industry. Join us in shaping a smarter, more sustainable, and digitally driven future for tourism while competing for recognition at the World Tourism Day 2026 celebrations.

Full details & application guidelines:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jU4fxWCKNFU8ZUKCK-kq08ZAlvj0A4m2/view?usp=sharing

21/06/2026

Sri Lanka’s Participation at the Let’s Travel International Tourism Forum 2026, Moscow, Russian Federation

Sri Lanka at the Let’s Travel International Tourism Forum 2026, Moscow

The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) successfully participated in the 6th Let’s Travel International Tourism Forum (ITF) 2026, held from 10–14 June at the VDNH Exhibition Complex in Moscow, the largest outdoor exhibition venue in the city. Hon. Deputy Minister of Tourism Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, SLTPB Deputy Managing Director Mr. Chamila Jayarathna, and Assistant Director Marketing Ms. Sasika Jayaweera represented Sri Lanka, joined by H.E. Ambassador Ms. Shobini Gunasekera and First Secretary Commercial Mr. Sanjeewa Bandara. The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka and the Roscongress Foundation extended strong support to ensure the delegation’s successful participation.

Recognized as one of Russia’s premier tourism events, ITF 2026 attracted over 511,000 visitors, 180 country and regional stands, and 574 organizations. Sri Lanka was honoured with the Let’s Travel First-Degree Laureate Award among 12 international participants, a recognition that underscores the country’s rising profile in the global tourism arena.

Strengthening Bilateral Relations
The Forum provided a vital platform to deepen tourism and economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and Russia. Prof. Ranasinghe met Hon. Deputy Minister of Economic Development Mr. Dmitry Vakhrukov and senior officials from St. Petersburg and Sverdlovsk Region, initiating discussions on destination promotion, familiarization tours, regional outreach, and enhanced air connectivity. These engagements laid the groundwork for stronger collaboration and highlighted Sri Lanka’s readiness to expand its presence in the Russian market.

The Deputy Minister also contributed to two high-level panel discussions on “Direct flights, simplified visas and what this means for the industry” and “Tourism of national importance: The strategic potential of international cooperation.” His interventions emphasized Sri Lanka’s commitment to facilitating travel and building long-term.

Media & Promotion
Exclusive interviews with TASS and Sputnik News Agencies — two of Russia’s most influential media outlets — provided valuable exposure for Sri Lanka’s tourism offerings. These engagements allowed Sri Lanka to communicate its diverse attractions directly to Russian audiences, enhancing destination visibility and brand awareness.

Destination Pavilion Highlights
Sri Lanka’s pavilion emerged as one of the most attractive international exhibits, featuring elephant structures, traditional cultural performances, authentic Ceylon tea experiences, and promotional materials showcasing beaches, wildlife, wellness, and adventure tourism. The stand drew significant visitor traffic, with many repeat travelers sharing positive experiences, reinforcing strong destination recall and loyalty among Russian consumers.

Consumer & Business Engagements
Thousands of visitors engaged directly with Sri Lanka’s pavilion, seeking information on future travel opportunities. B2B sessions connected Sri Lankan travel partners with outbound tour operators across eight Russian regions, expanding opportunities beyond Moscow and St. Petersburg. These interactions supported diversification, product development, and collaborative marketing initiatives aimed at increasing arrivals from Russia.

Conclusion
Sri Lanka’s participation at ITF 2026 strengthened bilateral tourism ties, enhanced destination visibility, and reinforced its position as a year-round holiday destination. Against a competitive backdrop with countries such as Myanmar and Thailand also promoting their products, Sri Lanka’s pavilion stood out for its cultural vibrancy and authentic branding, underscoring the importance of sustained promotional efforts in the Russian market.

🇱🇰🇷🇺🏆✈️

05/06/2026

Hon. Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe Recognized as a Key Global Personality in Tourism at SITF 2026 – Seoul, South Korea

Sri Lanka Tourism proudly announces that Hon. Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Deputy Minister of Tourism, has been honored with the prestigious 2026 SITF Eminent Tourism Pioneer Award at the 41st Seoul International Travel Fair (SITF), held on June 4, 2026 at IL-HWA-DANG, SamcheongGak, Seoul, South Korea.

This recognition is the result of a rigorous annual evaluation and research process conducted by the SITF Tourism Award Committee, which carefully assesses both academic contributions and industrial involvement in the global tourism sector. Each year, only a select few individuals are chosen after extensive scrutiny, making this honour one of the most respected accolades in the international tourism community.

In 2026, three distinguished domestic leaders from Korea and three international personalities were selected for their lifelong dedication to the tourism industry. For the first time in the 41-year history of SITF, a Sri Lankan has been nominated and recognized among this elite group. Hon. Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe’s selection marks a historic milestone for Sri Lanka, positioning the nation prominently within the global tourism landscape.

Receiving this award is not only a personal achievement for Prof. Ranasinghe but also a unique and impressive recognition for the Government of Sri Lanka and its commitment to advancing the tourism industry. It reflects the country’s growing influence and credibility in both practical and research-driven tourism development, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s ambition to emerge as a destination of authenticity, diversity, and innovation.

Hon. Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe expressed his gratitude, stating:
“It is my great privilege to be selected as a recipient of the SITF Eminent Tourism Pioneer Award. This honour is not only a personal milestone but also a testament to Sri Lanka’s growing recognition as a premier travel destination. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the organizers, partners, and colleagues who continue to champion tourism as a force for global connection and prosperity. Together, we will keep working to elevate Sri Lanka’s tourism industry and share our island’s diverse experiences with the world.”

This accolade underscores Sri Lanka’s emergence as a key global player in tourism, highlighting the nation’s dedication to sustainable growth, cultural exchange, and academic excellence in tourism research. It serves as a powerful opportunity to showcase Sri Lanka’s forward-looking vision and high expectations for becoming a leader in both practical and scholarly contributions to the world tourism sector.